HeadlineNews

Bail-out fears hit banking shares

2009-01-16T22:04:00.000-08:00

The BBC's Robert Peston describes the climate for banking shares

Shares in major UK banks have fallen sharply amid fears more financial institutions will need to be bailed out by the government.

Barclays was worst hit, down 25%, while Royal Bank of Scotland, which is almost 60% state-owned, closed 13% lower.

Barclays has insisted that this year's profits will be "well ahead" of the £5.3bn in some pessimistic forecasts.

The bank took the unusual step of revealing some profit details - two weeks ahead of the official release.

Ban lifted

Earlier, the Irish government said it was to nationalise the Anglo Irish Bank after its funding problems continued.

US bank Citigroup suffered a big quarterly loss, while Bank of America also received a $20bn (£13.4bn) bail-out package.

Much of the fall in UK bank shares came in the last hour of trading in London, as worries grew in European markets that the latest US government rescue signalled that Washington's efforts to stabilise the financial sector were failing.

The falls came on the day the ban on short-selling, which had been imposed by the Financial Services Authority last September, expired.

"The shorting ban has been lifted and I guess the short guys have been sharpening up their tools and looking to see who they'll have a pop at next," said Numis Securities analyst James Hamilton.

Jittery mood

Barclays shares ended at 98 pence, their lowest level since 1993. The bank's shares have lost 45% of their value this week.

"We know of no justification for the fall in share price. We are fully aware of our regulatory obligations and we have not said anything," said a Barclays spokesman in a statement.

The bank then took the unusual step of giving some details of this year's profits - before they are officially published on 17 February.

"The board of Barclays expects to report profit before tax for the year, after reflecting all costs, impairment and market valuations, well ahead of the £5.3bn consensus estimate of sell-side analysts," it said in a statement.

Meanwhile Lloyds TSB saw its shares drop 30% this week as it geared up for the finalisation of its merger with HBOS on Monday. Uncertainty about the format of a new UK government plan being worked on to boost bank lending added to a jittery mood.

Rescue options

It is understood ministers are planning an urgent bank package, which could pave the way for more taxpayer money to be pumped into the sector to offset losses on soaring bad debts.

Possible options could include fresh capital injections into banks or more government guarantees on toxic assets.

A plan could come as early as next week, with state guarantees to get credit moving again high on the agenda.

Referring to the current talks between the Treasury and the banks with the view to encouraging them to lend more money, Manus Cranny at MF Global Spreads said: "Barclays equity holders are disadvantaged because they are outside the government's planned financial support package.

"Why not just nationalise these banks and be done with it? Until that happens you can't force the banks to lend."

David Buik of BGC Partners said: "It has become obvious that the banking sector needs more capital globally."

Commenting on Barclays and HSBC, which have so far decided not to take government aid, he said in the end they may have little choice.

"I suspect they will have difficulty raising further private capital in this climate if they need it," he said.

US bail-outs

Across the Atlantic, the bail-out of Bank of America was aimed at helping it absorb losses from the takeover this month of struggling rival Merrill Lynch.

The handout will also see the firm offered guarantees against losses on up to $118bn in troubled assets.

The US government will take a stake in the bank in return for the aid, which comes on top of the $25bn handed to the group in last October's series of bank bail-outs.

Citigroup had already received $45bn in government loans and benefited from a state pledge to guarantee about $300bn in mortgages and other assets.

Citi has announced it now plans to split into two companies. One business, Citicorp, will do traditional banking, and the other, Citi Holdings, will hold the company's riskier assets.

'Last chance' gas talks in Moscow

2009-01-16T22:00:00.000-08:00

Mr Putin has been trying to form a Russian-EU gas transit consortium

The prime ministers of Russia and Ukraine are to meet in Moscow in an effort to end the dispute disrupting supplies of Russian gas to Europe.

However, there are sharp divisions within Ukraine over whether to link transit supplies to supplies for Ukraine itself at the negotiations.

The EU has urged Russia and Ukraine to prove they are "credible" partners and said it was their "last chance".

A bid to hold a Moscow gas summit on the same day appears to be floundering.

Some central and east European states have been reduced to rationing gas.

Others have been seeking alternatives to the pipelines carrying Russian gas via Ukraine.

Russia ceased supplies of gas to Ukraine on 1 January after talks on the price Kiev should pay in 2009 collapsed.

On 7 January, it stopped deliveries to Europe via Ukraine, saying it was forced to do so because Kiev was stealing the gas.

Ukrainian officials deny the allegation and accuse Russia of provoking the crisis.

Almost 20 countries in Europe have been affected by what is the worst energy crisis the EU has ever faced, the BBC's Richard Galpin reports from Moscow.

Rival positions

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, fresh from a visit to Germany, one of Moscow's biggest gas clients, is due to meet his Ukrainian counterpart, Yulia Tymoshenko, on Saturday afternoon.

Ukrainians burn a poster of Mr Putin as a Golem figure turning off a gas pipe

Mr Putin said on Friday that a deal to end the gas crisis could be nearer after he discussed the formation of a gas transit consortium.

He said a deal was being brokered between Russia's Gazprom and EU firms to cover part of the cost of pumping gas from Russia to Europe.

It is not clear whether Ukraine would accept such a deal.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has said that the issue of renewing Russian gas supplies to Europe was linked to finalising the 2009 supply contract for Ukraine but Mrs Tymoshenko, his political rival, argued the two issues were not connected.

"The issue of natural gas supplies to Ukraine and the issue of transit are interlinked and must be discussed as a single package," Mr Yushchenko's office said on the eve of the Moscow talks.

Speaking the same day, Mrs Tymoshenko said: "The Ukrainian government does not link the issue of concluding an agreement on [Russian] gas supplies to Ukraine with the issue of resuming gas transit to Europe."

Such a link, she added, would be "groundless and unfair".

She also demanded that Ukraine speak with one voice in the negotiations.

"Simply speaking, I need two things: Don't throw a spoke in the wheel and don't stab any backs," she said in Kiev.

'Last chance'

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has invited EU leaders to an emergency gas summit on Saturday but it appears that only envoys will be sent, including EU Energy Commissioner Andries Pielbags.

"Yushchenko for the chop" - a slogan at a rally in Moscow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was scathing about the decision not to send EU heads of state.

"We expect anyone interested in resolving the problem as soon as possible to come to the summit being held in Moscow tomorrow," he said on Friday.

He urged the EU to "show its famous solidarity" and put pressure on Ukraine.

The European Commission has warned that the meeting is a last chance for the two countries to prove they are serious about finding a solution to the dispute.

EU states import a quarter of their gas from Russia and 80% of supplies come via Ukraine.

"The European Commission believes that the meetings in coming days offer the last and best chance for Russia and Ukraine to demonstrate they are serious about resolving this dispute," Commission spokesman Johannes Laitenberger said.

"The gas must flow. We will regard this period as a test case for judging whether or not they are credible partners."

Hunt for NY crash plane's engines

2009-01-16T21:59:00.000-08:00

The stricken plane is currently tethered to a pier in Manhattan

Divers in New York are searching for both engines of an airliner which crashed in the Hudson River.

They are using sonar to locate the engines which are believed to have detached after the US Airways Airbus A320 hit the water on Thursday.

Officials are also planning to lift the aircraft from the river on Saturday and recover the flight recorders.

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg hailed the pilot, who landed the plane in the Hudson with no loss of life, as a hero.

Mr Bloomberg said he would be giving "incredibly brave" Captain Chesley Sullenberger and his crew the keys to the city.

National Transportation Safety Board spokeswoman Kitty Higgins

The mayor also honoured rescuers who pulled all 155 passengers and crew to safety from icy waters.

Capt Sullenberger said earlier that the crash was caused by birds flying into the engines. Investigators say they plan to interview him on Saturday.

One person suffered two broken legs in the crash and paramedics treated 78 patients, most for minor injuries.

Focus on 'black boxes'

At a briefing in New York on Friday, National Transportation Safety Board spokeswoman Kitty Higgins said divers and sonar were tracking the course of the plane which plunged in the river just minutes after taking off from LaGuardia airport.

1 1526 local time (2026 GMT): Flight 1549 takes off from LaGuardia airport
2 1527 (2027 GMT): Pilot Chesley Sullenberger reports birds hitting engines
3 1528 (2028 GMT): Pilot told to land at Teterboro airfield
4 1531 (2031 GMT): Pilot ditches plane in Hudson River

She said rescuers planned to start lifting the plane - which is currently tethered to a pier in Manhattan - on Saturday morning.

A giant crane and a barge have already been brought to pull the stricken airliner.

The plane is still intact, but officials say they will need to ensure it is recovered safely and without causing it to break apart.

The investigation is then expected to focus on recovering the flight recorders to help establish the cause of the crash.

'Inspirational'

Mr Bloomberg said on Friday that Capt Sullenberger had been "incredibly skilful" but would be unable to speak to the media while investigations were continuing.

The mayor said writer Ernest Hemingway defined heroism as "grace under pressure".

"I think it's fair to say that Captain Sullenberger displayed that yesterday. His brave actions have inspired millions of people in this city and millions more around the world," he said.

The mayor also presented awards to other uniformed and civilian personnel involved in the rescue, describing them as the city's "finest and bravest".

"Because of their efforts and the calm, steady leadership shown by the plane's pilot and crew, miraculously all 155 people on that plane made it to safety," he said.

President George W Bush had telephoned Capt Sullenberger to thank him for his actions, the White House said.

Bird strike

Passengers and eyewitnesses have been speaking to the media about their experiences.

"I heard an explosion, and I saw flames coming from the left wing, and I thought, 'this isn't good'," said passenger Dave Sanderson.

"Then it was just controlled chaos. People started running up the aisle. People were getting shoved out of the way."

Another passenger, Billy Campbell, described water rushing into the plane as flight attendants did "a wonderful job" of evacuating everyone.

"It's good to be alive today," said Martin Sosa, a father who had been travelling with two young children and his wife.

After crashing on the water, the plane was pulled rapidly down the river, until it was guided to a halt by tug boats against a pier.

The temperature was almost -7C (19F) and the current in the Hudson was running rapidly.

Ferryboats arrived within minutes of the crash to begin the rescue as passengers emerged in life jackets.

Blast hits Kabul's German embassy

2009-01-16T21:56:00.000-08:00

A powerful explosion has occurred outside the front gate of the German embassy in the Afghan capital Kabul, with no immediate reports of injuries.

Afghanistan's interior ministry could not say what had caused the blast, whether it was a suicide attack or a device planted in a vehicle.

The Wazir Akbar Khan district is in a central and sensitive area of Kabul.

Taleban militants have bombed Afghan government and foreign interests in the city in the past.

The embassy caught fire after the explosion which destroyed several vehicles, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene.

Emergency vehicles are at the scene and fire-fighters are attempting to extinguish the flames, the reporter says.

Philipp Wendel, press officer for the German embassy, said he could not give any details.

AP notes that the embassy stands opposite a US base.

Israel poised for ceasefire vote

2009-01-16T21:50:00.000-08:00

Israeli warplanes bombed Gaza before dawn on Saturday

Israeli ministers are due to vote on a unilateral ceasefire proposal, amid signs of diplomatic movement on the three-week conflict in Gaza.

Government spokesman Mark Regev said he thought Israel may have achieved enough to allow a ceasefire.

Israel and the US signed a deal to halt the smuggling of arms into Gaza as Cairo continued its mediation efforts.

Israeli warplanes bombed Gaza again just before dawn, with heavy explosions south of Gaza City.

A BBC correspondent who managed to enter southern Gaza on Friday saw evidence of much collateral damage from recent bombing.

Christian Fraser says the situation for Palestinian families there is tough, with food and electricity supplies limited and no running water.

Movement towards a negotiated solution has been slow but there are signs that significant progress has been made during the past 24 hours, the BBC's Adam Mynott reports.

Since Israel launched its offensive on 27 December to end rocket attacks against its people, nearly 1,170 people are thought to have been killed.

Hamas talks

The Israeli prime minister's office said that as a result of "significant progress" at talks between Israeli officials and Egypt's intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, a draft unilateral ceasefire would be discussed by Mr Olmert and his Defence Minister, Ehud Barak.

"Following the discussion, the cabinet for national security will be convened on Saturday evening to decide whether it should be adopted," it added.

Earlier, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said in Washington that Israel would have to suspend any ceasefire if Hamas continued to fire rockets.

Signing the deal on preventing arms-smuggling, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she hoped it would ensure Gaza could "never again be used as a launch pad" for attacks on Israel.

Mr Regev told BBC News that the foundations for announcing a ceasefire seemed to be in place.

"I think we're seeing the pieces of the puzzle fall into place and we see the foundations for what we see as a long-term calm in the south, based on cessation of fire and, of course, absence of all arms smuggling to Hamas," he said.

Hamas leaders have returned to Cairo for further talks.

They insist that a ceasefire agreement is built on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza within a week and an immediate end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Ban Ki-Moon: 'The fighting must stop'

One Hamas leader, Khaled Meshaal, has said the group will not accept Israeli conditions for a ceasefire.

"Despite all the destruction in Gaza, I assure you we will not accept Israel's conditions for a ceasefire," he said in Doha, Qatar.

Western diplomats say a pact underpinning any truce may be signed in Cairo this weekend between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

The UN General Assembly in New York has overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling for an immediate and durable ceasefire in Gaza, leading to a full withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Earlier, after meeting Palestinian Authority leaders in the West Bank, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Israel to end the fighting immediately.

New air strikes

Israeli military officials say 40 air strikes on Gaza on Thursday night targeted smuggling tunnels, rocket launching points, weapons stores and a militants' training camp.

GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND

In depth: Gaza conflict

Q&A: Gaza conflict

Who are Hamas?

Middle East conflict: History in maps

The bodies of 23 people were later recovered in the Tel al-Hawa district of Gaza City, medics said.

Militants fired about 10 rockets into Israel on Friday, causing no injuries, the Israeli army said.

Health officials in Hamas-controlled Gaza say at least 1,155 Palestinians have been killed and 5,015 wounded since Israel launched its offensive.

Thirteen Israelis - three of them civilians - have died, while 233 soldiers have been wounded, Israeli officials say.

A teenager reportedly died during anti-Israeli protests in the West Bank on Friday.

EU warns of legal action over gas

2009-01-14T16:08:00.001-08:00

Russia and Ukraine have disagreed over gas payments

The European Commission has warned Russian and Ukrainian gas companies of legal action over a dispute which has left many Europeans without heat.

Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said he would advise EU energy companies to sue unless Gazprom and Naftogaz move fast to restore supplies.

Bulgarian, Slovak and Moldovan prime ministers have held talks in Moscow and Kiev but the deadlock remains.

Supplies remain cut off because of a row between Russia and Ukraine.

'Matter of urgency'

Mr Barroso told the European Parliament the dispute between Ukraine and Russia was "most unacceptable and incredible".

He said if agreements, sponsored by the European Union, are not observed "as a matter of urgency", he would advise energy companies that have deals with Gazprom and Naftogaz, to file lawsuits against them.

Despite optimism on Tuesday that the dispute was nearing an end, the rhetoric from Russia and Ukraine is increasingly antagonistic.

Moscow says gas is flowing again from Russia to Ukraine for export, but Kiev says it is technically unable to pass it on to its neighbours.

The Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of holding Europe hostage, countering Ukrainian accusations of Russian blackmail.

See map of affected area

Eighteen other European countries have been affected by the gas supply row.

Hundreds of thousands of people are still without heating in eastern and south-eastern Europe after Moscow stopped supplies routed through Ukraine last week.

Bulgaria, one of the hardest hit countries, has had to close schools and other public buildings, due to the cuts.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev told Mr Putin that millions of Europeans are "truly suffering".

Modolva's Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanii told the meeting in Moscow: "Our consumers do not understand why they should freeze when there is a contract for gas supplies."

Slovakia is desperate to get supplies of gas flowing again

Earlier, Slovakia's prime minister was in Kiev. He told his Ukrainian counterpart Yuliya Tymoshenko that his country had 11 days of gas reserves left.

Robert Fico said: "After 12 days, we will be obliged to resort to measures never seen in our history. "

Slovakia and the Baltic states are entirely dependent on gas from Russia.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko went to Poland, another country that relies entirely on Russia for its gas, to explain his case to his Polish counterpart.

Compromise difficult

An agreement, brokered late on Monday by the Czech prime minister, to allow international experts to monitor the flow of gas through Ukraine, was designed to overcome the deep feeling of mistrust between the two former Soviet neighbours.

Russia switched on the gas supply to Ukraine at the Sudzha pumping station on Tuesday morning.

But Ukraine said it could not physically pump the gas to Europe in the volumes Russia was providing, or along the pipeline route Moscow wanted it to take.

Russian energy giant Gazprom dismissed that claim. It says the taps are open on the Russian side.

The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Kiev says it is now difficult to see how a compromise can be brokered.

Medical leave for Apple boss Jobs

2009-01-14T16:06:00.000-08:00

Steve Jobs has suffered dramatic weight loss in the past year

Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs is to take medical leave until the end of June, saying his health issues were more complex than he first thought.

Mr Jobs revealed last week he was being treated for a "hormone imbalance" but was staying on as the firm's head.

Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook will stand in while Mr Jobs is away.

Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004, Mr Jobs had appeared increasingly gaunt at recent public appearances, sparking rumours about his health.

Speculation about his health had intensified since December, after Apple said Mr Jobs would not be making his annual keynote address at the Macworld conference in San Francisco.

Directors' support

In an email to employees on Wednesday, Mr Jobs said: "In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health... I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June.

"As CEO, I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out. Our board of directors fully supports this plan."

In last week's statement, Mr Jobs said doctors thought they had found the cause for his weight loss: "a hormone imbalance that has been robbing me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy".

Apple's board said it was giving him "complete and unwavering support".

Apple's share price fell following the announcement, showing how closely the company's fortunes are still identified with the person who helped create it, says the BBC's Greg Wood in New York.

Mr Jobs co-founded Apple in 1976, but left in 1985 to start another computer venture. He returned to Apple in 1997 and became full-time chief executive once again in 2000.

'More than 1,000 killed in Gaza'

2009-01-14T16:03:00.000-08:00

Palestinian hospitals have been overwhelmed by the number of injured

Palestinian deaths in the Gaza Strip have passed 1,000, medical sources in Gaza say, as Egypt continues efforts to broker a ceasefire.

Nearly a third of the dead are reported to be children and nearly 5,000 people have been injured.

After talks in Cairo, Hamas officials said they were happy with the broad outlines of an Egyptian initiative but that details remained to be worked out.

Israeli negotiators are to visit Cairo to hear to discuss Egypt's proposal.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza said 1,013 people have died in the conflict which started 19 days ago.

More than 300 of the dead are said to be children, 76 are women and more than 4,500 people have been injured, of whom 1,600 are children and 678 are women.

Thirteen Israelis have been killed, including three civilians and one soldier from rockets fired from Gaza and nine soldiers killed in fighting in Gaza.

It is impossible to independently confirm casualty figures as Israel has refused to allow international journalists to enter Gaza.

Diplomatic push

Egypt has been leading efforts to broker a ceasefire, that could include a new force of peacekeepers to prevent smuggling on its border with Gaza.

After talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he hoped the Egyptian initiative would show results as soon as possible.

The UN secretary general is in Jordan on the next leg of a Middle East tour before visiting Israel, the West Bank and Syria.

Hamas officials have also been in Cairo for talks with Egyptian negotiators.

"The movement has presented a detailed vision to the Egyptian leadership so that it (Egypt) can continue its pursuit to end the aggression and lift the injustice on our people in the Gaza Strip," Hamas official Salah al-Bardawil said.

These details concerned how to ensure that border crossings into Gaza could be re-opened under international supervision, he said, and would be presented to Israeli envoys visiting Cairo on Thursday.

A senior Israeli defence official, Amos Gilad, is to travel to Cairo on Thursday, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said.

Earlier on Wednesday, other Hamas officials had said the Egyptian initiative had been positively received but that more time was needed to discuss it.

Aid diary: Water shortage

Bowen diary: Syrian warning

Gazan families: Pulling together

In pictures: Inching into Gaza

Hamas, which controls Gaza, has said any ceasefire agreement would have to entail a halt to Israeli attacks, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and the opening of border crossings to end the blockade of Gaza.

BBC Arab affairs analyst Magdi Abdelhadi says Israel will not agree to a deal that does not guarantee an end to Hamas's smuggling of weapons across the Egyptian border and the cessation of rocket attacks into southern Israel.

For its part, Hamas refuses to accept an agreement that could in effect spell the beginning of the end for its military wing.

Egypt and other key Arab states can put pressure on Hamas but the US remains unwilling to press Israel to make any concessions, our correspondent says.

'Seeds of extremism'

Israel launched its campaign against Gaza on 27 December, saying it wanted to end Palestinian rocket fire into Israel.

Syrian president on Gaza conflict

Both Hamas and Israel rejected last week's UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.

The Israeli offensive has provoked widespread international condemnation at the cost in civilian casualties.

Bolivian President Evo Morales said he was cutting relations with Israel over what he called the "genocide" in Gaza.

President Bashar al-Assad of Syria warned that Israel's campaign would fuel extremism and terrorism in the Arab and Muslim world.

"The effect of war is more dangerous than war. It is sowing seeds of extremism around the region," Mr Assad said in an exclusive BBC interview.

Israeli divisions?

On Wednesday, Israel continued to bombard the Gaza Strip and residents spoke of heavy machine-gun fire as Israeli troops fought Hamas gunmen near Gaza City.

Israeli strikes on Gaza continue

Meanwhile, three rockets were fired from southern Lebanon towards the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona, landing on open ground.

No casualties or damage were reported.

In another development, a newly-released audiotape said to feature the voice of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has called for a holy war to stop the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

The authenticity of the tape, posted on a number of Islamic militant websites, could not be independently verified.

Humanitarian concerns have increased amid the fighting, although some aid is getting through to Gaza during daily three-hour lulls Israel has allowed to let in supplies.

Israel deepens Gaza incursion

2009-01-13T00:56:00.000-08:00

Eighteen days and nights of air raids have left
many areas in the Gaza Strip in ruins [EPA]

The Israeli military has made its deepest push into Gaza since the beginning of its ongoing assault on the Palestinian territory.

Explosions from heavy aerial bombardment continued in the early hours of Tuesday and fierce gunfire could be heard as ground troops moved into the more densely-populated areas of the Strip, as the assault entered its 18th day.

Al Jazeera's Arabic channel reported that the heaviest fighting between Israeli and Palestinian fighters was in Tal al-Hawa, in the south of Gaza City.

Clashes were also reported in Beit Lahiya, to the north of the city, and east of Khan Younis.

Al Jazeera's Sherine Tadros, reporting from Gaza City, said there was an intensification of Israeli ground operations, with reservists moving in to support regular ground forces.

Tank attack

The AFP news agency reported tanks supported by warplanes had moved into several southern neighbourhoods of Gaza City and Palestinian fighters were responding with mortar fire.

A spokesman for the Palestinian health ministry said dozens of calls for ambulances had been received, but none could not be dispatched because of the fighting.

Combat continued despite another day of pleas from both the United Nations and the European Union to stop the violence which has so far killed 919 Palestinians and wounded 4,250 others, an estimated 40 per cent of them civilians, mostly women and children.

Expressing frustration and anguish at the failure of both sides to adhere to a legally binding UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, said he planned to step up diplomatic efforts to end Israel's air and ground offensive in Gaza and Hamas rocket fire into southern Israel.

"To both sides, I say: just stop, now," the UN chief told a news conference on Monday. "Too many people have died. There has been too much civilian suffering. Too many people, Israelis and Palestinians, live in daily fear of their lives."

Israeli goal

But Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, said the offensive which includes the latest deployment of reservists into Palestinian neighbourhoods, must continue until Hamas is completely disarmed.

"To both sides, I say: just stop, now"

Ban Ki-moon,
UN secretary-general

He said the military operation would end once Hamas's military wing halted its rocket attacks.

"We want to end the operation when the two conditions we have demanded are met: ending the rocket fire and stopping Hamas's rearmament. If these two conditions are met, we will end our operation in Gaza," he said in the southern Israeli town of Ashkelon.

Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin reporting on the devastation in Rafah late on Monday said the continuous shelling had reduced the city to rubble and the Israeli military had been dropping leaflets warning local residents to flee.

He said the human suffering was compounded by the 18-month Israeli blockade that had led to a food and fuel shortage.

Al Jazeera's Zeina Awad, reporting from the Israel-Gaza border, said there were no signs of the war ending despite the huge humanitarian toll on the residents.

Hamas resolve

Israeli reservists were deployed to support regular forces in Gaza [EPA]

The Israeli military said air raids were carried out on at least 25 targets across the Gaza Strip and Shimon Peres, the Israeli president, said on Monday that the army had "achieved in 16 days what no other country in the world fighting terror has done in 16 years".

But the Palestinian fighters fired nearly 30 rockets across the border into southern Israel on Monday, according the an Israeli army spokesman, and Hamas said it would continue to battle Israeli troops inside Gaza.

Ismail Haniya, the Hamas leader and ousted Palestinian prime minister, said from Gaza City that Israel would not emerge victorious.

"This holy blood that has been spilt will never be in vain, it will make the victory. The children's and women's blood and bodies will be a curse which will haunt this occupation," he said.

Khaled Meshaal, Hamas's political leader in exile, said: "The Palestinian resistance is standing steadfast on the battlefield as it is in the political arena.

"The resistance cannot be broken in the face of the Israeli aggression, nor can our resolve despite the deep wounds, the great pains, the massacres, the destruction, the punishments and mass killings."

UN watchdog condemns war on Gaza

2009-01-13T00:54:00.000-08:00

The UN rights body adopted a resolution condemning Israel of 'grave violations' [AFP]

A resolution condemning Israel's military offensive in Gaza has been adopted by the UN Human Rights Council.

The non-binding resolution, approved in Geneva on Monday, said Israel's operation had "resulted in massive violations of human rights of the Palestinian people".

More than 900 Palestinians have died during the fighting, many of them women and children, and a further 4,100 have been wounded.

At least 25,000 have been displaced due to the ongoing bombardment, but are unable to flee the overcrowded territory as crossing points remain closed.

The resolution, drafted by Arab, Asian and African countries, called for an international mission to be sent immediately to the Gaza Strip to investigate Israel's actions.

It also called for an immediate end to the "launching of the crude rockets against Israeli civilians" by the Palestinian factions.

Israel launched its operation on December 27 after a ceasefire with Hamas ended a week earlier, stating its objective was to target the Palestinian faction's infrastructure and bring an end to the firing of homemade rockets into southern Israel.

'Fairytale world'

Fewer states than expected supported the resolution, which passed by 33 votes to one, with 13 abstentions. The US, not a member of the council, took no part in the debate.

Israel dismissed it as one-sided and reflecting the "fairytale world" of the 47-member council.

The text of the document said the council "strongly condemns the ongoing Israeli military operations ... which have resulted in massive violations of human rights of the Palestinian people and systematic destruction of the Palestinian infrastructure".

The resolution was opposed by Canada while European countries, Japan and South Korea abstained.

The resolution was backed by, among others, Russia, China, Argentina and Brazil.

During a debate on the resolution, Pakistan, speaking for the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), denounced what it called Israel's "unrestrained use of force, killing of innocent civilians" and violation of UN havens.

At least 40 people died last Tuesday when the UN-run school they were sheltering in was hit by Israeli fire.

'Massive violations'

All European Union countries abstained and Canada voted against the resolution.

Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told Al Jazeera: "In the end they [the UN] passed the resolution, it was not unanimous. I would not say it was that heated, at the end of the day there were still differences of opinion.

Israel dismissed the non-binding resolution as one-sided [AFP]

"Many states praised the Palestinian delegation for the flexibility they had shown in the negotiations, but they could not quite reach a consensus."

Speaking in the Gaza Strip, John Ging, head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) operations in Gaza, repeated his call for an immediate end to the fighting.

"I say now, to all politicians, here in Israel and internationally, you have an obligation to the ordinary people in the name of humanity and all that is civilised, we need to stop this now. Those who help will never be forgotten.

"Israel is responsible for its own actions and it is very clear to us that there are a lot of actions in this conflict that will need to be fully investigated independently and internationally.

"Those who have been killed and injured, those who are innocent, deserve accountability."

Peter Splinter, Amnesty International's representative at the United Nations in Geneva, backed the call for an investigation, saying "there must be a full accountability for war crimes".

"Evidence of war crimes is presenting itself each day," he told Al Jazeera.

Boutros Boutros-Ghali, a former UN secretary-general, added his perspective on the situation, saying the assault on Gaza "is a present the Israelis gave to the fundamentalists".

"It will reinforce extremists, fundamentalists, all over Arab countries and even inside Israel," he said.

Israeli army 'shot at from Jordan'

2009-01-13T00:53:00.000-08:00

Israeli troops have also been shot at on their country's border with Syria [AFP]

The Israeli army has said that troops guarding its border with Jordan has been fired at from inside the Arab nation.

No one was hurt in the attack on Tuesday, an Israeli army spokesperson said.

"Troops were fired upon from the Jordanian side of the border. It was unclear who the gunmen were," the spokesperson said

However, witnesses told Al Jazeera Arabic that the assailant had crossed the Jordanian border at the Wadi Araba crossing and opened fire at the Israeli patrol from outside the Jordanian territories.

Other sources said that four Israeli soldiers were injured, one seriously, in the shooting.

There was no immediate comment from Jordan.

The alleged attack comes 18 days into Israel's Gaza offensive and after sporadic attacks from within Israel's Arab neighbours.

Shots were fired at an Israeli army vehicle from Syria along the border on Sunday.

No one was hurt, but it was the second such attack on the Israel-Syria border since the start of Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip.

On January 8 four Katyusha rockets were fired from southern Lebanon into the northern Israeli city of Nahariya.

Israel and Jordan signed a peace agreement in 1994 and the border is usually quiet.

Hair Style & Color Trends Men's 2009 Hair Trends: Styles, Cuts, Colors

2009-01-13T00:14:00.000-08:00

All fashion trends are cyclical, and in recent years have gradually modernised the looks of the 20th Century and planted them firmly in the 21st. And so too it is with men's hair trends in 2009: it's out with the new, and in with the old. Or at least an old hair style with a new twist.

2009 sees men's hair styles fall into two distinct categories: school boy and rocker. But while the rocker look is certainly a 20th Century creation, the resulting hair style finds its roots (if you'll pardon the pun) distinctly in 19th Century Britain. And so it is in 2009; while the odd 2009 runway collection featured something akin to a grunge revival, the majority of us will live out 2009 with a refined, classically inspired hair cut.

Hair Style & Color Trends Women's Hair Trends 2009: Styles, Colors, Cuts

2009-01-13T00:12:00.000-08:00

There's little point in wearing clothes from 2009's fashion trends unless you have the one other major element just right: hair.

Taking their cues from 2008, in 2009 women's hair trends will play to the extremes. They might be extremely short, extremely girly, extremely sexual or extremely slick. It'll only be the bob hair cut which will sit somewhere to the left of extreme; and you're going to be hard pressed to find that hair style on fashion forward women.

Women's Fashion Trends Autumn (Fall)/Winter 2009 Fashion Trends

2009-01-13T00:08:00.000-08:00

From feather to fur, sky-scraper heels to bohemian boots - our guides on 2008 fashion trends and 2009 fashion trends are constantly being updated with new clothes, tips and insights into Autumn (Fall)/Winter 2008/2009 fashion trends. If you'd like to read about Spring/Summer 20009 fashion trends follow the link.

To get the updates even faster, sign-up for our fashion trends newsletter or subscribe to our RSS feed.

Men's suits: tailored trends in 2009 and 2010

2009-01-13T00:04:00.000-08:00

Men's fashion trends are few and far between; yes, a lot of women's trends are eventually adapted to the men's market, but if 2009 men's hair trends prove anything it is that classics will always rule when it comes to men's fashion. Unsurprisingly it's no different when it comes to men's suits.

Two suits perfect for 2009 and 2010 from Tom Ford's Spring 2009 collection

Germany agrees 50bn euro stimulus

2009-01-12T23:30:00.000-08:00

Germans are reluctant to spend due to the tighter economy

Germany's coalition government has agreed an economic stimulus package worth about 50bn euros ($67bn; £45bn), senior ministers have said.

More details are expected later of the measures aimed at helping the country during what some fear could be its worst recession since World War II.

The initiatives include investments in railways, roads and schools, as well as a number of tax relief measures.

A 23bn euros plan, passed last month, was derided for being too cautious.

In its second attempt to kickstart Europe's largest economy, Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet has gone further, and she is expected to unveil the details of the plan on Tuesday.

"All in all, it is a package that will help get us through the financial crisis and secure jobs," said Christian Democrat parliamentary president Volker Kauder.

Tax cuts

The agreement follows squabbles between the Social Democrats and Christian Democrats over how to shore up the German economy and prevent job losses.

The new two-year stimulus package will include investment measures worth around 18bn euros for infrastructure projects, correspondents say.

The package is also expected to include:

A 100bn euro programme for firms struggling through the ongoing credit crunch
Tax cuts and breaks, including reductions in state health care contributions and bonuses of 100 euros per child
A 2,500 euro payment for scrapping a car older than nine years and buying a new vehicle

But, says the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Berlin, this package alone will not solve Germany's biggest problem at the moment: its falling exports.

Due to the global economic downturn, there is less demand abroad for German goods, such as cars and machine tools.

Germany is heavily reliant on exports, which saw their largest fall in November since reunification in 1990.

Last year it unveiled a bail-out for businesses worth up to 500bn euros but its use has been limited due to strict conditions attached to taking the money.

Meanwhile, figures released on Tuesday morning showed that German wholesale prices fell 3% in December from the previous month, and were down 3.3% on a year-on-year basis.

UN appeal to clear Afghan mines

2009-01-12T23:29:00.001-08:00

The UN says it urgently needs $500m to continue clearing landmines and other unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan.

It says the money is needed to meet international commitments to clear the country of such material by 2013.

The UN mine clearing agency head in Afghanistan said operations had been scaled back in parts of the country due to a recent drop in funding.

Afghanistan is one of the world's most heavily mined countries, with people regularly killed and injured by them.

Hundreds of thousands of mines have been laid since the Soviet invasion in 1979.

Russia set to restart gas supply

2009-01-12T23:21:00.000-08:00

Russia shut off the gas last Wednesday after it accused Kiev of stealing gas

Russia says it will resume pumping gas through Ukraine to Europe, following the completion of a monitoring deal.

The state-run energy company, Gazprom, said supplies would resume on Tuesday morning, if there were no obstacles.

Hundreds of thousands of people in Europe have been left without gas since Russia turned off the taps over a contractual dispute with Ukraine.

The BBC European Affairs correspondent says the underlying causes of the crisis are still unresolved.

Russia is still not providing Kiev with any gas for domestic consumption, in an ongoing bilateral dispute over debts and prices.

Disagreement remains over how much Ukraine should pay Russia for its gas, and what Russia should pay Ukraine in return for transporting gas to Europe.

See map of affected area

Russia shut off the gas to Europe last Wednesday after it accused Kiev of stealing gas meant for other European customers. Ukraine's domestic supply was cut a week earlier.

Hundreds of thousands of people in 15 European countries are now hoping for relief, after almost a week of suffering bitterly cold winter temperatures without any heating.

'Down to work'

Under the deal agreed on Monday, EU and Russian observers will monitor supplies from pumping stations on Ukraine's eastern and western borders, in order to calm Russian fears that Ukraine is siphoning off gas for its own use. Ukraine has denied this allegation.

Gazprom Chief Executive Alexei Miller told Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin he proposed restarting gas deliveries at 0800 (0700 GMT) on Tuesday.

Mr Putin replied: "Good, let's get down to work".

Despite a deal signed by Russia, Ukraine and the Czech presidency of the EU, it may be some time before supplies return to normal.

Analysts say that in theory, supplies could return to normal within 24 hours but a more likely time frame is 36 to 48 hours.

Earlier, Ukraine had dropped provisos it wanted to add to the agreement.

Welcoming the deal, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Hryhoriy Nemyria said Ukraine had "never been the obstacle for the delivery of the Russian gas to the European Union".

"The six days' war between Gazprom and the EU customers is going to come to an end," he said.

Major shortages

Ukraine's deputy prime minister says joint efforts must be made

The agreement may be greeted with scepticism in some of the hardest-hit countries, says the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Kiev, after the same deal fell through last week.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had emphasised that Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine would flow only when monitors were in place and a transit deal had been signed by all parties.

While a number of EU teams are already in position, others are not, and Russian monitors have still to deploy to stations in western Ukraine, our correspondent says.

Russia cut gas supplies to Ukraine on New Year's Day, saying it would pump only enough for customers further down the pipeline.

Thousands of Europeans have been left without gas in freezing temperatures

But then Moscow accused Ukraine of siphoning off gas intended for third countries and it restricted supplies even further.

Ukraine denied the claim, but the flow of Russian gas ceased completely on 7 January, leaving many European countries with major shortages.

The EU gets a quarter of its gas supplies from Russia - 80% of which passes through Ukraine - and more than 15 countries across central Europe have been hit by the shutdown of Russian supplies.

Serbia and Bosnia-Hercegovina are among the worst hit as many homes rely on heating stations that only run on gas.

UN chief wants Gaza conflict halt

2009-01-12T23:16:00.000-08:00

Palestinians have been warned to leave areas close to Hamas facilities

The UN secretary general has implored Israel and Palestinian militants to halt the fighting in Gaza immediately.

Ahead of a trip to the region to push for a truce, Ban Ki-moon said too many people had died and there had been too much civilian suffering.

His call came as Israeli ground forces and tanks moved deeper into Gaza City, with a BBC producer there saying he could hear shooting from tanks.

Nearly 30 rockets or mortars were fired on Israel from Gaza on Monday.

Early on Tuesday, the 18th day of the conflict, Israeli troops advanced in the southern and eastern suburbs of Gaza City, backed by artillery and helicopters.

The western areas of the city came under shellfire from Israeli gunboats.

The Israeli military has denied a Hamas claim that it had destroyed two Israeli tanks.

An army spokesman told the BBC that "more than 60 targets were targeted by IAF [Israeli Air Force]" during the night.

But the Israeli military announced a three-hour ceasefire starting at 0900 local time (0700 GMT) to allow aid lorries into Gaza.

The truce also coincides with visits to the territory by UN and Red Cross officials.

Gaza 'not broken'

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Palestinian militants will keep on feeling Israel's "iron fist" as long as Hamas fires rockets at Israel.

But a senior Hamas leader, Ismail Haniya, said the group was "approaching victory".

"After 17 days of this foolish war, Gaza has not been broken and Gaza will not collapse," he said in a televised address from a secret location in Gaza

Both Hamas and Israel rejected last week's UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Palestinian medical sources say 910 people have been killed in Gaza so far, of whom 292 were children and 75 were women. Israeli officials say 13 Israelis, including three civilians, have been killed.

On Monday, casualty reports from Palestinian medics ranged from nine to 26 dead, while Israel said five of its soldiers had been injured, one of them seriously.

Israel is preventing international journalists from entering Gaza, making it impossible to independently confirm casualty figures.

'Society destroyed'

"My message is simple, direct and to the point: the fighting must stop," Mr Ban told a news conference in New York ahead of his departure on Tuesday for the Middle East.

"In Gaza, the very foundation of society is being destroyed: people's homes, civic infrastructure, public health facilities and schools."

His diplomatic tour will see talks with the leaders of Egypt, Israel and Syria as well as the Palestinian president in Ramallah.

However UN officials say he will not be meeting representatives of Hamas, and it is not clear whether he will go to Gaza itself during his week-long trip.

Meanwhile reports suggest diplomatic efforts between Egypt and Hamas in Cairo are progressing.

After meeting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Middle East Quartet envoy Tony Blair said the elements were in place for a ceasefire agreement.

"I am hopeful we can put an agreement together but it's going to have to be worked on very hard and it's got to be credible," he told journalists.

All-out push?

On Monday as Israel continued its air and ground offensive, Hamas said it had been involved in fighting with Israeli troops in several districts.

Israel hopes the scale of its operation will greatly reduce the number of missiles fired from Gaza into southern Israel, while eroding support for Hamas.

As the fighting continued, a spokesman for the charity Save the Children said it was impossible for aid workers to do their jobs.

"We need the violence to stop. We need the attacks to stop. It's only when that happens that we will be able to operate," Benedict Dempsey said.

Aid agencies say Gaza's 1.5 million residents are in urgent need of food and medical aid.

List Real Estate International

2009-01-09T17:14:00.000-08:00

Tela Honduras 3000+ ft. Beachfront

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214-621-5630
Email
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Belize Real Estate for Sale

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Belize,

Adam Schneider
Progresso Heights Limited
561-859-1433
Email
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One Of The Most Attractive Destinations On The Mayan Riviera

Available

$240,900
Bed/Bath: 1-2 / 1

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Cancun
Mexico,

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CTI Developments
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Your "Ultimate Living Experience" ... BAHIA

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$249,000
Bed/Bath: 2 / 2
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PRISTINE WATERFRONT 3BR/2BA CONDO

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St Petersburg
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Jeannie Gaines
727-392-1950
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Fiji Dream Properties - Oceanview Spa Villas

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2 Bedroom Condo in Canmore Alberta

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Gregory Kelly
Gregory Kelly
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NEW Condominiums on Rio Cuale, Puerto Vallarta

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52-322-223-3770
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Vegas Luxury Executive Home With Backyard Oasis- Pool and Waterfall !

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Luxury Home, Gourmet Kitchen, Stunning Details

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CENTURY 21 All Islands - Waikoloa
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Beautiful New Custom Waterfront Home

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Tony Sonsini
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LUXURY GOLF VILLA IN PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

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Magnificent Penthouse in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

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Contemporary Rocky Mountain Masterpiece!

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3500 m2 Beach Hotel In The Best Part Of The Croatian Adriatic Coast

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Breathtaking Waterfront Estate On 3 Acres With Direct Ocean Access

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Spectacular And Luxurious Private Residence

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Silver Coast - Large Villa in Calm Small Village

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500 METERS ABOVE SEA LEVEL

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Cozy San Marcos Condo

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Grand Theft Auto IV - PC

2009-01-09T17:08:00.000-08:00

From the moment I popped the installation DVD into my computer, I knew that Grand Theft Auto IV PC was going to be a tough title to review.

Now Loading...

Let's step back for a moment and look at the facts: Grand Theft Auto IV has already sold over eleven million copies worldwide on both Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 systems, and with Crysis-esque system requirements weeding a good number of possible players out of the mix not to mention a hefty 15-gig minimum hard drive installation, mandatory memberships to Windows Live and the Rockstar Social Club, a required update to your latest Windows service pack in both XP and Vista, and last but not least, an army of pre-mature errors, including the title's numerous hardware compatibility issues... well, the odds have certainly been stacked against Niko and friends.

While I realize that this isn't the conventional way for someone to start off an all-around positive review of a game, I just think that it's definitely worth getting the bulk of the bad out of the way before we move onto the good. For every step backwards or minuscule error that GTA IV PC raises, there's something there to satiate GTA fanatic's needs, from customizable controls, high-definition visuals, to hefty 32-player based multiplayer. Rockstar's kicked out all of the jams for their latest iteration of GTA IV, and while hugely successful at times and widely annoying at others, the PC port of this stellar title is still worth keeping an eye on for hardcore fans or first-time criminals.

"Cousin!"

Now, let's get one thing straight right off the bat: if you've owned a copy of Grand Theft Auto IV in the past, there's really no reason to pick up the PC version. While everything that made GTA IV a blockbuster console hit is still here, there's hardly any new material, much less any that's worth writing home about. Sure, the PC version's replay editor is a fun distraction, allowing players to capture and edit footage from their favorite high-speed escapades, but it doesn't nearly justify an entirely new purchase. The game's multiplayer is also notable, beefing up the console count of 16 to 32 players, and while the online multiplayer's just as much of a blast as it's always been, there's always the inherent trouble of finding 31 willing players all dead-set on the same rules, maps, and modes as you.

Grand Theft Auto IV's story is just as impressive as it was on its console endeavors, bringing an incredible Hollywood-grade script and case to an outstanding cast of characters and locales. Every mission, weapon and vehicle from the console versions remains completely intact in GTA IV PC, but with downright frustrating keyboard and mouse controls, car-jacking may seem like a bit more of chore than it used to. If you're planning on picking up Niko's first foray into PC territory, my biggest recommendation would be the purchase of a well adjusted game controller to ride shotgun with you throughout Liberty City.

Arriving Late to the Land of Opportunity

While Grand Theft Auto IV remains an amazing title through and through, I can't help but recommend a console purchase over this PC port. While GTA IV PC retains much of the magic that made the game such a massive hit earlier this year, there's no overlooking the technical issues that weigh down this masterful game, from teeth-grinding slowdown to simply lazy controls. Still, even with its flaws, there's no missing the fact that this is the same Grand Theft Auto IV that so many gamers fell in love with the first time around, with every mission, character, and locale completely intact. Undoubtedly a system hog, that never stops GTA IV PC from delivering one of the finest cinematic action/adventure video game experiences to date.

PROS: Beautiful graphics, promise of mods and DLC, same fantastic game in new packaging
CONS: Demanding system requirements, technical issues, poor control scheme

Who is HSBC?

2009-01-09T17:03:00.000-08:00

We are the world's local bank.

Headquartered in London, HSBC is one of the largest banking and financial services organisations in the world. HSBC's international network comprises around 9,500 offices in 85 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa.

With listings on the London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges, shares in HSBC Holdings plc are held by around 200,000 shareholders in some 100 countries and territories. The shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of American Depositary Receipts.

Through an international network linked by advanced technology, including a rapidly growing e-commerce capability, HSBC provides a comprehensive range of financial services: personal financial services; commercial banking; corporate, investment banking and markets; private banking; and other activities.

UN agency to resume Gaza aid work

2009-01-09T17:02:00.000-08:00

The UN aid agency Unrwa is to resume operations in Gaza as soon as possible after receiving assurances on safety from Israel, a spokeswoman said.

It comes a day after Unrwa suspended deliveries in Gaza because staff there had been hit in Israeli attacks.

Both Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas have so far ignored a UN resolution calling for an immediate end to two weeks of conflict.

Israel says its military offensive is intended to stop rocket fire from Gaza.

A number of rockets were fired into southern Israel on Friday but there were no reports of casualties.

The Israeli air force continued to hit what it said were Hamas targets in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the continued rocket attacks on Israel showed the resolution was "unworkable".

Officials in Mr Ehud's office were quoted as saying "the Israeli military will continue to protect Israeli civilians and carry out its missions".

Hamas said it had rejected the UN's call for an immediate ceasefire because it had not been consulted on the resolution and it was not in the interests of the Palestinian people.

The UN's head of humanitarian affairs, John Holmes, said it was "extremely disappointing" that so far the resolution had been ignored by both sides.

Announcing that aid efforts would resume, UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said the Israeli military had given "credible assurances that the security of UN personnel, installations and humanitarian operations would be fully respected".

As a result, Unrwa would resume its work as soon as possible, she said.

The agency suspended its operations in Gaza on Thursday after it said one person had been killed when a fork-lift truck on an aid mission came under Israeli tank fire at Gaza's Erez crossing.

'War crime'

Separately, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said an alleged failure of the Israeli military to help wounded civilians in Gaza could constitute a war crime.

GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND

Profile: Gaza Strip

Q&A: Gaza conflict

Who are Hamas?

Middle East conflict: History in maps

On Thursday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said its staff had found four weak and scared children beside their mothers' bodies in houses hit by shelling in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City.

Ms Pillay told the BBC: "The incident the Red Cross describes is very troubling because it has all the elements of what constitutes a war crime.

"There is an obligation to protect the wounded, to treat the sick, to remove them to safety and here, according to the Red Cross, Israeli soldiers just stood by and did nothing for these four children and one adult who were too weak to move."

The UN human rights body has demanded that human rights monitors be deployed in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank so that any violations of international law can be documented independently.

Asked whether Israel was living up to its human rights obligations, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said it was hard for Israel to safeguard civilians because Gaza was very densely populated.

Gaza offensive - in maps

Israel paused its military operations for three hours in the afternoon to allow supplies to be brought in for Gaza's residents.

However, Israeli army spokesman Capt Eli Isaacson told the BBC that during that period, two rockets had been fired from Gaza towards Israel and that Israeli forces had returned fire.

Gaza health officials say about 800 Palestinians have been killed since the current conflict began on 27 December.

Thirteen Israelis had died as of Thursday, according to the Israeli military.

Fourteen out of 15 Security Council members backed the resolution on the Gaza crisis, with the US abstaining.

The motion called for an "immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire" leading to the "full withdrawal" of Israeli forces from Gaza.

It also demanded "the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance", measures to prevent arms smuggling to Palestinian militants and the opening of border crossings into Gaza.

Israel wants to stop rocket attacks on southern Israel and to stop Hamas smuggling weapons into Gaza via Egypt, while Hamas says any ceasefire deal must include an end to Israel's blockade of Gaza.

Blagojevich to fight impeachment

2009-01-09T16:58:00.000-08:00

The moment Governor Rod Blagojevich was impeached

Scandal-hit Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has vowed to fight an attempt by state lawmakers to force him out of office.

The Illinois House of Representatives earlier voted to impeach Mr Blagojevich over charges that he tried to "sell" Barack Obama's Senate seat.

"I'm confident at the end of the day I will be properly exonerated," Mr Blagojevich told reporters.

Mr Blagojevich was arrested in December and charged with soliciting bribes.

'Freak show'

The Illinois House voted 114-1 to impeach Mr Blagojevich, although only 60 votes were needed for the motion to pass.

"It's our duty to clean up the mess and stop the freak show that's become Illinois government," said Jack D Franks, a Democratic representative.

Illinois's state Senate will now try Mr Blagojevich. If found guilty, the governor will be forced out of office.

CHARGES AGAINST BLAGOJEVICH

Federal agents say Mr Blagojevich

Tried to obtain campaign contributions in exchange for official actions

Tried to use state funds for the private purpose of inducing the Tribune Company to fire Chicago Tribune editorial board members critical of him

Tried to obtain personal financial benefits for himself in return for his appointment of a US senator

Profile: Rod Blagojevich

Q&A: The Blagojevich scandal

The move to impeach Mr Blagojevich follows an investigation by a 21-member committee of the Illinois House, which looked at testimony from FBI agents who wiretapped phone calls to and from the governor's office about who should fill President-elect Obama's Senate seat.

It is alleged the conversations show that Mr Blagojevich, a second-term Democrat, was trying to use the seat to get himself or his wife a job.

The panel said the evidence showed Mr Blagojevich was not fit to be governor, and voted unanimously to proceed to an impeachment vote.

British poet

Responding to the vote, Mr Blagojevich told reporters: "The House's actions today are because I've done things to fight for families."

He went on to defend his record as a governor, citing his attempts to provide healthcare to poor women, and his scheme to assist families faced with foreclosure.

And in an echo of a news conference he gave last year in which he quoted the poet Rudyard Kipling, Mr Blagojevich again decided to end his appearance with a reference to a 19th C0entury British poet.

This time, Mr Blagojevich quoted from Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem "Ulysses", saying: "Tho' we are not now that strength which in the old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are."

Hyperion, Microsoft and SAS Release New Specification of XML for Analysis

2009-01-09T16:51:00.000-08:00

New Specification and New XMLA Advisory Council Members Help Drive XMLA as an Industry Standard

CARY, N.C., REDMOND, Wash., and SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 21, 2002 — Hyperion (Nasdaq "HYSL" ), Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq "MSFT" ) and SAS today announced a new release of the XML for Analysis (XMLA) specification. XML for Analysis Specification Version 1.1 provides an updated specification and API standard for vendors to access multidimensional databases as a Web service. It is the first version of the XMLA specification to be created in conjunction with members of the XMLA Advisory Council, a standards group that was formed after Hyperion and Microsoft released XML for Analysis Specification Version 1.0 in 2001.

XML for Analysis Specification Version 1.1 is available for Web download at http://www.xmla.org/ .

Council Membership Grows

In addition to the new release of the XMLA specification, the XMLA Advisory Council announced that it has added seven new members. The new council members -- Crystal Decisions, INEA, MIS AG, MJM Consultant Corp., Panorama Software Systems, SAP AG and Silvon Software, Inc.-- bring additional analytics expertise to the group.

"With the new specification and additional council members, we're gaining important momentum in the adoption of XMLA as a standard for creating web-based analytic solutions," said Robert Gersten, chief development officer for Hyperion. "This will help ensure that businesses have an open standard that is scalable to meet distributed analysis needs across the enterprise. Toward that end, Hyperion has already incorporated support for XMLA in the upcoming version of Hyperion Essbase XTD, our open, integrating platform for business performance management."

"We gladly welcome the new members to the XML for Analysis Council. Their support is further proof that XMLA is an important focus for major business intelligence vendors," said Bill Baker, general manager of SQL Server (TM) Business Intelligence at Microsoft Corp. "Microsoft is committed to providing customers and partners with rapid and easy access to analytic applications. The XMLA protocol delivers on this by creating a standard for Web-based business intelligence. The new specification provides another step toward Microsoft's vision of making business intelligence more pervasive and more accessible to everyone."

"SAS is pleased to announce with the other co-chairs the release of the XML for Analysis 1.1 specification," said Keith Collins, senior vice president and chief technology officer for SAS. "The addition of new council members signals the growing momentum and market acceptance of an open, scalable, standards-based specification that benefits enterprise class customers. SAS continues to be actively involved in moving the specification forward as an open standard for business intelligence and we plan to incorporate such standards in future products."

The new council members join a growing group of industry leaders that have previously announced their support for XMLA. The primary drivers of the XMLA specification include Hyperion, Microsoft and SAS. XMLA Council members also include Alphablox, ANGOSS Software Corp., Applied OLAP, Applix, Inc., Aspirity, ArcPlan, Inc., Brio Software, Business Objects, Cognos, Comshare Inc., DSS Lab, Inc., Lawson Software, MicroStrategy, ProClarity, Inc., Simba Technologies, SPSS Inc.,Temtec and Vigilance, Inc.

Working Session for XMLA

In addition to releasing the new Version 1.1 of the XMLA specification, Hyperion, Microsoft, SAS, and Simba Technologies recently hosted an interoperability workshop in Vancouver, British Columbia November 6-8 to demonstrate the new XMLA standard working on an open, integrating platform for the analytics and business intelligence marketplace. The successful event provided a forum for XMLA council members to begin work on subsequent versions of the specification, as well as providing council members the opportunity to test XMLA consumers against XMLA provider offerings. Software providers testing their products included Comshare, Hyperion, Microsoft, MicroStrategy, SAP, MIS AG and Simba. Consumers included ArcPlan, Aspirity, Microsoft, MIS AG, ProClarity and SPSS.

The event marked the first time that member companies with client applications using the specification could test against analytic data providers that support XMLA. A total of 20 XMLA Council members were represented at the event.

"Our hosting the XMLA InterOperate Workshop demonstrates our commitment to ensuring widespread adoption and robust development of the XMLA standard and is consistent with our core competency of facilitating and providing connectivity between leading business intelligence vendors using open industry standards," said Amyn Rajan, president and CEO of Simba. "It was a successful event, further advancing the XMLA standard in a manner that is beneficial to the business intelligence marketplace."

About XMLA

The XML for Analysis (XMLA) advisory council is made up of a number of leading business intelligence software vendors that have announced their support and backing of XMLA, a set of XML message interfaces that use the industry standard Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) to define data access interaction between a client application and an analytical data provider working over the Internet. The council has jointly published an XMLA specification that allows corporate developers, third party tool vendors and other partners to query analytical data providers in a standard way. The new standard is expected to accelerate the adoption of Internet business intelligence software and increase the market for those technologies.

To learn more about XMLA, please visit our Web site at http://www.xmla.org/ .

About Hyperion

Hyperion, the global leader in business performance management software, creates solutions that help companies measure performance and drive profitability. Hyperion's Business Performance Management Suite of packaged and tailored applications and its open, integrating business performance management platform, Hyperion Essbase XTD, enable companies to set goals, model and plan performance, monitor and report key results, analyze underlying business drivers and anticipate future performance of core business activities. Hyperion products are used by more than 6,000 customers around the world to enable financial, organizational, customer relationship, supply chain and channel performance management. Hyperion has a network of over 330 partners to provide innovative and specialized business performance management solutions and services.

Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Hyperion generated annual revenues of $492 million in fiscal 2002. The company employs more than 2,200 people in 20 countries and is represented in 16 additional countries through distributor relationships. Hyperion is traded under the Nasdaq symbol HYSL. For more information, please visit www.hyperion.com, www.hyperion.com/contactus or call 800 286 8000 (U.S. only).

About Microsoft .NET Enterprise Servers

Microsoft® .NET Enterprise Servers are Microsoft's comprehensive family of server applications for building, deploying and managing next-generation integrated Web experiences that move beyond today's world of standalone Web sites. Designed with mission-critical performance in mind, .NET Enterprise Servers provide fast time to market, as well as scalability, reliability and manageability for the global, Web-enabled enterprise. They have been built from the ground up for interoperability using open Web standards such as XML. The .NET Enterprise Servers are a key part of Microsoft's broader .NET strategy, which will enable a distributed computing model for the Internet based on Internet protocols and standards to revolutionize the way computers talk to one another on our behalf.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq "MSFT" ) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.

About SAS

SAS is the market leader in providing a new generation of business intelligence software and services that create true enterprise intelligence. SAS solutions are used at more than 39,000 sites - including 98 of the top 100 businesses on the Fortune 500 - to develop more profitable relationships with customers and suppliers; to enable better, more accurate and informed decisions; and to drive organizations forward. SAS is the only vendor that completely integrates leading data warehousing, analytics and traditional BI applications to create intelligence from massive amounts of data. For more than 25 years, SAS has been giving customers around the world The Power to Know® . Visit us at www.sas.com.

About Simba

Simba Technologies is the leading data access company. We deliver data connectivity and interoperability solutions to many of the world's leading companies on various platforms including Windows and Linux. Our best-in-class products support multiple open interfaces, including ODBC, JDBC, OLE DB, OLE DB for OLAP and XML for Analysis (XMLA.) For more information, view www.simba.com , e-mail info@simba.com or call 604-633-0008, Extension 2.

Hyperion and Essbase are registered trademarks and Hyperion Solutions is a trademark of Hyperion Solutions Corporation.

Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

All other trademarks and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

A new release of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM client for Outlook is available

2009-01-09T16:49:00.000-08:00

This article describes the availability of the new release of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM client for Microsoft Office Outlook. This article also describes the new features that are included in this release.

New features

This release of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM client for Outlook contains the following new features:

This release is compatible with 2007 Microsoft Office programs.

Note This release is still compatible with Office XP and Office 2003 programs.
This release is compatible with Windows Vista.

Note This release is still compatible with Microsoft Windows XP.
This release uses Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition instead of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (also known as MSDE).

Note After Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition is installed, you can store 4 gigabytes (GB) of data for offline use.
This release includes hotfixes for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM client for Outlook.

Note The hotfixes for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM client for Outlook that are included in Update Rollup 1 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 are already included in this release.
This release installs the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 and the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1.

Note Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition uses the .NET Framework 2.0. Microsoft Dynamics CRM still uses the .NET Framework 1.1.
This release uses a custom Microsoft Outlook mailbox store to display the Microsoft CRM folder structure in Outlook instead of the Outlook .pst file. The message store object is a MAPI object that provides a view of a Microsoft Exchange store.
This release contains configurable settings that determine how frequently the Microsoft Dynamics CRM client for Outlook searches the Microsoft Outlook inbox for Microsoft Dynamics CRM e-mail messages. This search is called auto-tagging. This change improves the performance of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM client for Outlook.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
916566 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916566/ ) You may experience slow performance in the Microsoft CRM client for Outlook and performance problems on the Microsoft Exchange server when you work online in Microsoft Dynamics CRM
This release enables the Microsoft Dynamics CRM-Exchange E-mail Router to deploy mailbox rules to Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 mailboxes.

Note To enable this functionality, you have to uninstall and then reinstall the Microsoft Dynamics CRM E-mail Router. This tool is a part of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM-Exchange E-mail Router.

For more information about how to uninstall and then reinstall the Microsoft Dynamics CRM E-mail Router, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
930140 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/930140/ ) Error message when you run the Rule Deployment Wizard to deploy the mailbox rules to Microsoft Exchange Server mailboxes in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 "Failed to save the rule to the user's mailbox"
This release contains an updated Terminal Services installation script that you can use to install the Microsoft Dynamics CRM client for Outlook in a Terminal Server environment.

Seven Reasons Why Windows Search Should Be On Your Company's Desktop

2009-01-09T16:43:00.000-08:00

Turn information into results and increase productivity with Windows Search 4.0 for your Windows Vista SP1 and Windows XP desktops. In Windows Vista, search capabilities are available all throughout the system, giving you multiple access points and various views for anything you can think to look for on your PC. And Windows Search 4.0 provides desktop search, indexing, and filtering capabilities for Windows XP. Whether you are using Windows Vista SP1 or Windows XP, Windows Search 4.0 is a key component of a secure, scalable, and extensible search solution that can help you meet the core search needs of your enterprise while offering the simplicity and ease of use desired by individual users.

		Deeply connected user experience Windows Search—an integral component of the Windows operating system—offers a powerful and convenient interface to instantly search for nearly anything on your computer. In Windows XP, the ever present Windows Search "Deskbar" gives you quick access to important files and e-mail. Windows Vista takes search to the next level by offering contextual search within every Explorer, helping you find the right search results in almost any location. Windows Search can also be configured to include or direct you to remote locations, shared resources, intranet locations, and the Web, and can search Microsoft Office Outlook e-mail messages and attachments.
		Privacy and security Windows Search is designed to protect your and your company's sensitive data and personal information while helping you to find exactly what you need from your e-mail messages, files on your PC, shared resources, intranet shares, or the Web. Windows Search respects security permissions and does not display results for content that cannot be accessed by the user. This functionality helps ensure privacy, compliance, and protection of intellectual property (IP). In addition, user-identifiable information is never sent to Microsoft or to any third party.
		Performance Windows Search works as fast as you can type to give you instant results from any search box in Windows Vista or Windows XP. The Windows Search index is close to the file system, so it knows when you change a file and processes updates whenever CPU resources are free, keeping your index up-to-date without interrupting your normal activities. And the index has been fine-tuned to make sure indexing your server-based e-mail does not impact the performance of your mail server.
		Works closely with other Microsoft Enterprise Search products Great Enterprise Search solutions empower people to find information and expertise anywhere in the organization. Windows Search is a key element of an overall Enterprise Search solution from Microsoft, enabling users to easily access the information they need to be successful, whether it resides on their desktops or on remote file shares, Microsoft Office system programs such as Microsoft Office Outlook 2007, or corporate intranets. For more information, see Enterprise Search from Microsoft.
		Easy transition to Windows Vista with familiar user experience Windows Search 4.0 provides a great desktop search experience for users on the Windows XP (x32/x64-bit) and Windows Server 2003 operating systems. It also makes it easy on your organization as you transition from Windows XP to Windows Vista, which features even more advanced search and organization capabilities. Users will find it easy to learn the new features in Windows Vista because they share many similarities with Windows Search on Windows XP, and your IT staff will be happy to know that their investments in Windows Search-compatible infrastructure will continue to work with Windows Vista.
		Support model Windows Search is an integral part of Windows, thus it's covered under your existing Windows Vista or Windows XP license agreement and support terms. For many customers, there is no need to purchase an additional support contract to receive assistance with Windows Search. For more details on Windows Search support, see Windows Search Support Options.
		Seamless upgrade path from Windows Search 4.0 for Windows XP to Windows Vista SP1 Windows Search 4.0 expands upon the search functionality built into Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Desktop Search 3.01 for Windows XP, providing a logical path for organizations as they migrate from Windows XP to Windows Vista. Windows Vista features fast desktop search, and goes beyond search to provide rich, intuitive file organization capabilities. With support for Live Icons, file tagging, Search Folders, and advanced navigation, Windows Vista enables users to flexibly organize and view their files in virtually any way they wish.

Tata AIG Life Health Protector - 5 Year Guaranteed Renewal Accident and Health Plan

2009-01-09T16:37:00.000-08:00

This product is designed to protect you against most unforeseen causalities through a wide spectrum of benefits. So that you can live worry-free. Policy premium remains constant for 5 years.

Key features include:

Accidental Death Benefit (ADB): Under this benefit, in the event of your unfortunate death due to accident, your family will receive an amount equal to ADB sum assured that has been specified by you .
Family Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefit (FADD): In the event of your unfortunate death due to accident your family will receive 100% of the your sum assured; in case of an unfortunate accident that results in the death of the spouse, you receive 50% of the your sum assured and in the case of children you can claim a benefit that amounts to 25% of your sum assured. In case of dismemberment, you will be paid the full amounts as mentioned above or a percentage of those based on the severity of the dismemberment.
Accidental Hospitalisation Cash (AHC): On minimum confinement of 3 consecutive days a lump sum amount equal to the AHC Sum Assured will be paid.
Total Permanent Disability (TPD): Under this benefit a lump sum amount equal to the TPD sum assured will be paid in the event of sickness and accident.
Critical Illness (CI): This benefit provides you with a lump sum on diagnosis of any 1 of 12 Critical Illness or Surgeries.
Cancer Care: In case you are diagnosed with cancer, the policy shall provide you with a lump sum amount.
Death Benefit: In the unfortunate event of your death this entitles your family to the sum assured as opted by you for this benefit
FADD will not be offered if ADB has been taken.
Cancer and CI cannot be taken together.

Tax Benefits and Age Eligibility

Premiums paid for Health Insurance Benefits are eligible for tax benefits under section 80D, while premiums for Life Insurance Benefits are eligible for tax benefits under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.*
Anyone between ages 18 and 60 can apply for this policy.

Tata AIG Life InvestAssure Health

2009-01-09T16:36:00.000-08:00

Each one of us has their own ambitions and goals in life. But life itself can pose several uncertainties. An accident or illness can strike anytime, throwing our plans off track. In a situation like this hospitalization and medication expenses can burn a hole in your savings. At such a time, Tata AIG Life InvestAssure Health can prove to be a source of support, taking care of the financial burden you and your family may have to go through.

Yet at the same time, being a unit linked plan Tata AIG Life InvestAssure Health ensures that you can still continue to meet your financial goals and achieve whatever dreams you might have for your loved ones.

Key features include:

Daily Hospital Benefit limit: Rs. 500-3000 (in multiples of Rs.500) per day
Double benefit if hospitalization occurs in ICU
Surgical benefit equivalent to 20 times the daily hospitalization benefit
Optional health coverage for spouse and dependent children
Benefit inflation by 5% on daily hospital and surgical benefit from second year onwards up to a maximum of 150% of the original daily hospital benefit
Flexible Policy Term: You may choose policy term from 10 years to 40 years depending on your needs
Six Fund Options: Whole Life Mid-Cap Equity Fund, Whole Life Aggressive Growth Fund, Whole Life Stable Growth Fund, Whole Life Income Fund, Whole Life Short-Term Fixed Income Fund, Large Cap Equity Fund
Minimum premium: Rs. 18,000 for annual mode (depends on the policy term)
Riders can be attached at a nominal additional cost
Features like fund switching, premium redirection, partial withdrawal, flexible premium payment modes (annual, semi-annual, quarterly, monthly) are also available

For detailed information, please refer to our

Product brochure

Eligibility:

Minimum issue age of 18 years (5 years for the child) and maximum issue age of 55 years (17 years for the child) with maximum maturity age of 65 years

Tax Benefits

As per the current tax rules, premiums paid in respect of morbidity are eligible for tax deduction under section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (the Act). The balance of premium is eligible to tax deduction under section 80C of the Act, provided the annual premium during the year does not exceed 20% of the sum assured. The benefits under this plan and riders are tax exempt under section 10(10)D of the Act subject to conditions.

Resident Evil 5

2008-11-15T23:15:00.000-08:00

The biohazard threat has not ended: Just when it seemed that the menace of Resident Evil had been destroyed, along comes a new terror to send shivers down player's spines. Chris Redfield, returning Resident Evil hero, has followed the path of the evil literally around the globe. After joining a new organization, Chris heads to Africa where the latest bioterrorism threat is literally transforming the people and animals of the city into mindless, maddened creatures. He is joined by a new partner, Sheva Alomar, who lends her strength, intelligence and sharp-shooting skills to the mission. In order to survive, Chris and Sheva must work together to take on the challenges of discovering the truth behind this evil plot. Utilizing a revolutionary new co-op mode of gameplay, players will be able to assume control of either Chris or Sheva and experience Resident Evil in new ways. In Resident Evil 5, Capcom will have players fearing the daylight as much as they have feared shadow in previous games.
Co-producer and series veterans Jun Takeuchi (Lost Planet) and Masachicka Kawata (Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition, Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles) unleashes an unprecedented level of fear for the next generation in Resident Evil 5, the sequel to one of the highest-rated videogames in history, according to Metacritic.com and Gamerankings.com. Promising to revolutionize the series by delivering an unbelievable level of detail, realism and control, Resident Evil 5 is certain to bring new fans to the series. New technology developed specifically for the game, as well as incredible changes to both the gameplay and world of Resident Evil will make this a must-have game for gamers across the globe.

The latest in the Resident Evil series, which has sold over 34 million units since the original game was released in 1996, as well as spawned a multi-million dollar trilogy of films from Sony Pictures. Resident Evil 5 will revolutionize the Resident Evil series, just as Resident Evil 4 did.

* Chris Redfield, protagonist of the original Resident Evil and Resident Evil: Code Veronica, returns
* Chris is joined by new character Sheva Alomar, an African special agent tasked with investigating the epidemic
* 2 player co-op online gameplay means that players are not alone in their fight against the horror lurking around every corner
* Simultaneous global release date for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on March 13, 2009
* New enemies bring new challenges: speed and intelligence make adversaries as dangerous singly as they are in groups.
* An arsenal of weapons at the player's command to keep the evil at bay, including knives, pistols, machine guns, sniper rifles and more.
* Lighting effects provide a new level of suspense in both harsh light and deepest shadow

Review Need for Speed Undercover

2008-11-11T22:24:00.000-08:00

We venture deep into the criminal underground to explore more of this open-world racer.

When we last had a look at Need for Speed Undercover, it was during a visit to the EA booth at last month's Tokyo Game Show. While the relative sanity of EA offered a nice, reassuring slice of home amid the Katamari-rolling cosplayers and broomstick-riding arcade machines, the demo we saw gave us only a quick peek at what this open-world racer will deliver when it's released on November 18. Recently, though, we've spent some time with the first several hours of Need for Speed Undercover to explore some of the things you can do once you go undercover in the Tri-City Bay with little more than a police badge and some sweet driving skills to your name.

One of the coolest things Undercover has going for it is a very thin, often nonexistent line between theatrics and gameplay, and that's evident from the very beginning. The intro cinematic shows a Nissan 370Z leading a frantic police chase. Quick and stylized camerawork shows the freeway chase from all angles, but suddenly the camera swings behind the car and you're thrust into the driver's seat when you were just about ready to grab another handful of popcorn. The only way to evade the police is to put enough distance between you and them so that you can lie low for a while and see your wanted level creep low enough for an escape. But it's not easy: The police in Undercover are a tough bunch who will create roadblocks, lay spike strips, and follow you headlong into oncoming traffic and the narrowest alleys if need be. But they also have a human side, and you can hear their excellent chatter through the radio that reacts contextually to the maneuvers and acts of destruction you pull off.

Once you complete this introductory chase scene, you're given your first taste of the game's video cutscenes. This intro sequence shows two police officers discussing an underground criminal racing club with possible links to an international smuggling ring. Actress Maggie Q plays a police inspector who has come up with the idea to plant an undercover cop deep into this group of thugs, which is where you come in. The rest of the game's cinematics--which are of the low-light, quick-cut style you'd find in a show like 24--tell the story of your progression through the ranks of this auto enthusiast club, and they tend to straddle the line between Hollywood cop films and the delightfully cheesy Need for Speed full-motion videos of old.

Making your way through the game's story missions requires you to build up your wheelman level, which can be done in a variety of ways. You can add points by just cruising around the open-world Tri-City Bay setting and performing heroic driving maneuvers, which is developer Black Box's term for driving on the distant edge of safety without quite falling off. Full-speed 180s, powerslides, nitrous drifts, and brakestands are a few of the heroic driving maneuvers that can be done to add wheelman rep points. This also has the side benefit of giving you driver skills, which increase your abilities with a car outside the usual garage modifications done to the cars themselves.

Another important means of increasing your wheelman level is participating in the dozens of side missions scattered throughout the Tri-City Bay. Events include basic races like Sprint and Circuit, exercises in destruction like Cost to State and Cop Takeout, and one-on-one races like Outrun and Highway Battle. You can also do jobs for car thieves, which require you to take a hot car to a chop shop while outrunning a legion of angry cops, all while making sure you don't damage the car too much. Accessing these events is as simple as hitting up on the D pad to access your GPS map, or hitting down on the D pad to jump straight into the nearest available event. This system of accessing events means you can spend almost zero downtime between the events or take all the time in the world if you want to.
Pulling up the GPS map also gives you access to nearby auto shops--but only once you've befriended the criminal types necessary to gain access to these establishments. Once you get them on your map, you can pop in to customize your car in numerous ways. There's the layman's quick upgrade, where you can choose to upgrade power or handling, the more detailed upgrade packages that let you improve things like drivetrain and forced induction, and some tuning sliders that let you customize those parts you've already purchased. In addition to these options, you can add custom paint and vinyl jobs to your car, purchase aftermarket body mods, or just buy a new car altogether with the cash you've earned in events. Your options in the latter category include the modest Ford Focus ST all the way up to the slightly more upscale Bugatti Veyron 16.4 (zero to 60 in 2.46 seconds).
Anyone new to the world of racing games should find Need for Speed Undercover to be a relatively accessible experience. The handling of the cars is on the forgiving side, events never achieve frustrating status, and police chases are grueling but totally winnable with enough patience and clever route-taking. You can also tip the odds in your favor in both police chases and street races by using pursuit breakers, which are essentially booby traps you can trigger to sabotage competitors. For example, driving through a billboard stand might send the signage toppling onto those tailing you, while clipping a stand holding up concrete pipes could create a similar result.

Altogether, Need for Speed looks like a promising package. It's an open-world racer where you can keep the action going at all times, and its accessibility is complemented by a wide variety of maneuvers and plenty of real-life cars. You can look forward to seeing our final word when the review for Need for Speed Undercover hits right around the November 18 release.

Microsoft Unveils Windows HPC Server 2008

2008-11-11T22:15:00.000-08:00

Microsoft Corp. today released the first public beta of Microsoft Windows HPC Server 2008, a server operating system and tools designed for the fast-growing high-performance computing (HPC) market. Microsoft also established the Parallel Computing Initiative, a program creating a set of common development tools across multicore desktops and clusters.

Windows HPC Server 2008, the successor to Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003, is based on the Windows Server 2008 operating system and is designed to increase productivity, scalability and manageability. Windows HPC Server 2008 has been renamed to reflect its readiness to tackle the most challenging HPC workloads. Key features are new high-speed networking, highly efficient and scalable cluster management tools, advanced failover capabilities, a service oriented architecture (SOA) job scheduler, and support for partners’ clustered file systems. The beta is now available for download at http://www.microsoft.com/hpc; the final version will be generally available in the second half of 2008.

“With the new advancements, Windows HPC Server 2008 can allow customers to achieve the levels of scalability and performance of the most efficient clusters in the Top500 benchmark while making it dramatically more productive to deploy, utilize and integrate the advanced HPC clusters within their environment,” said Kyril Faenov, general manager of HPC at Microsoft. “By upgrading to Windows HPC Server 2008 on our 2,048-core production test cluster, we increased the LINPACK performance by 30 percent and were able to deploy and validate the cluster in less than two hours using out-of-the-box software. Expanding beyond traditional MPI-based HPC applications, Windows HPC Server 2008 enables support for high-throughput SOA applications with its advanced Web service routing capability and paves the way for bringing HPC capabilities to a broad range of enterprise applications.”

This efficiency is currently being demonstrated at the Holland Computing Center in the Peter Kiewit Institute at the University of Nebraska, one of the largest clusters in the world. The new 1,151-node Windows-based cluster is expected to enhance the curriculum and resource capabilities by providing compute cycles for a broad variety of government, research and industry uses.

“We see this as a tremendous opportunity to advance the research capabilities of the institute to meet the growing and emerging demands of the university community as well as our business partners,” said John Callahan, director of technical infrastructure for the Peter Kiewit Institute. “The scalability and demonstrated performance of the Windows platform has empowered us to provide a medium through which we can develop and train students in a new specialization on parallel computing.”

Adding to performance, Microsoft is also showcasing the ways cluster administrators, end users and developers can increase productivity with a common set of tools that span the desktop and cluster. Cluster administrators can save time with Microsoft System Center for application-level monitoring and rapid provisioning and SQL Server Reporting Services for capacity planning and auditing. End users can save time with Microsoft Office SharePoint Server for data collaboration and the Windows Workflow Foundation for automating processes across workgroups.

Mixed, dual-boot clusters can also improve cluster efficiency. Because dual-boot clusters flexibly serve both Linux and Windows users, they increase utilization rates by expanding their number of addressable users. Examples of customers deploying large mixed clusters include the University of Iowa, Cambridge University, 3M and Baker Hughes Inc. Leading technology partners that have announced mixed cluster support for Windows HPC Server 2008 include Altair Engineering Inc., Cluster Resources Inc. and Platform Computing. Clustered file system vendors that have announced support for Windows include Panasas Inc., Quantum Corp.’s StorNext, HP PolyServe, and Sanbolic Inc., and IBM Corp. has plans to support IBM GPFS on Windows.

Multicore and the Future of High-Performance Computing

Deepening its investment in developer productivity, Microsoft also created the Parallel Computing Initiative, which encompasses the vision, strategy and innovative developments in systems, runtimes, programming models, libraries, language extensions, and development tools across desktop and cluster. Designed to simplify and enable parallelism for a broad set of commercial applications in the multicore and cluster environments, this initiative adds to currently available standards-based tools such as Message Passing Interface (MPI) and OpenMP and native parallel debugger support in Visual Studio 2008. New technologies include the Parallel Extensions to the .NET Framework that will enable developers to express parallelism and improve efficiency and scalability of parallel applications. Over the next six months, Microsoft will ship customer technology previews of this technology. Demonstrating how Microsoft’s investment into parallel programming is expanding the high-performance computing market, market leaders in the actuarial insurance software market, such as Milliman Inc. and Towers Perrin, have already announced native support for Windows HPC, introducing a large new segment of performance-sensitive customers to the benefits of parallelism.

These major investments from Microsoft in high-performance computing and parallel programming will enable a broader set of commercial application vendors as well as corporate and research programmers to embrace parallelism and take full advantage of the potential performance gains that are made available through adoption of multicore processors and server clusters.

More information on Windows HPC Server 2008 is available at http://www.microsoft.com/hpc.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.

TechNet Magazine

2008-11-11T22:09:00.000-08:00

System Center: Monitoring Windows Server 2008 with OpsMgr 2007

As you deploy Windows Server 2008 into your environment, you’ll need a way to manage and monitor its health, performance, and availability. Fortunately, you can use the existing System Center tools you are already familiar with. See how you can use OpsMgr 2007 to manage your Windows Server 2008 assets. Pete Zerger

System Center: Using Configuration Manager with Windows Server 2008

The release of System Center Configuration Manager SP1 added full support for managing Windows Server 2008 systems, including such new features as server core. Get a quick overview of deploying the ConfigMgr agent and using ConfigMgr to manage Windows Server 2008 systems throughout your organization. Cameron Fuller

System Center: Granular Targeting in Operations Manager 2007

For every monitoring object you build, you must also decide what target to use. Choosing the correct target is critical, but knowing how to go about choosing the correct target is not always clear. Steve Rachui explores various options for correct targeting in OpsMgr and provides guidance for choosing the appropriate method for each scenario. Steve Rachui

Windows Server 2008: Presentation Virtualization with Enhanced Terminal Services

Virtualization isn’t limited to virtual machines and the virtualization of operating systems. Terminal Services has been abstracting the presentation layer of remotely run applications and desktops for years. Take a close look at key improvements to Terminal Services in Windows Server 2008 and get some tips for using these new features. Joshua Schnoll

SQL Server 2008: Tracking Changes in Your Enterprise Database

SQL Server 2008 introduces two new features that allow you to track changes more easily and efficiently. Paul Randal examines the new Change Tracking and Change Data Capture features and discusses the implications these features will have for database administrators. Paul S. Randal

The New Nike Sportswear Line

2008-11-11T21:57:00.000-08:00

Branden J. Peters

Check out some of the latest gear from Nike's new Sportswear line

Nike has always been on the cutting edge of technology with its footwear and with their new Sportswear collection. The theme of the collection is athletic performance in any weather condition.

Innovations include impermeable no-sew seams, breathable/waterproof fabrics, Storm-FIT fabrics, waterproof zippers, water-repellant soft shell fabrics, no-sew storm flaps and laser-cut cuff adjustability keeps cold out and warmth in. Nike staple the Eugene track jacket is redone; along with “The Standard Tee.” The Nike Windrunner, crew and many more. The winter collection is available at the Nike Sportswear store in New York and at The Montalban in Los Angeles

Punishments Amrozi Cs Living Technical Problems

2008-11-07T17:23:00.000-08:00

JAKARTA, Three people suspected Bali bombing case has been sentenced long dead. Amrozi cs execution was announced candidate is done early November. However, until Friday (7 / 11) is they have not faced a team shoot.

"We still have technical problems," said Deputy Attorney General, Muchtar Arifin, Friday (7 / 1), in Jakarta. Muchtar Arifin said, there is still a problem not related to the implementation ekskusi.

Unfortunately, Muchtar would not explain more about the technical problem that caused the execution time they become unclear. However, a clear technical issues, not related to the legal verdicts against them.

"If the case is closed (closed), but businesses will not affect the other," says Muchtar. Legal issues about Amrozi, Ali Gufron and Imam Samudra associated with the death verdicts have been closed.

No more efforts to save them from the verdicts. So, just wait for execution is carried out whether the future, tomorrow, or this evening.

BMG: beware of Rain in January-February

2008-11-07T17:13:00.000-08:00

JAKARTA, Meteorological and Geophysics Agency (BMG) in Jakarta and ask the Provincial Government of Jakarta cautious peak rainy season in January and February 2009. Rainfall is expected to reach 400 to 450 millimeters per month can be a risk of occurrence of floods in 12 district se Jakarta.

"Rainfall will increase in December to March 2009. Peak rainfall was in January to February," said Chief Information Line Climatology and Air Quality BMG, Hendro Santoso, in front of the Vice Governor of Jakarta and the Prijanto camat se-Jakarta, Friday ( 7 / 11) in Balaikota Jakarta.

Heavy rainfall have the potential to trigger the occurrence of floods in 12 district se-Jakarta. In South Jakarta, the area that could potentially occur due to heavy rain flooding is the new fire, Mampang Prapatan, and Pasar Minggu.

In West Jakarta, the area is the need to be skeptical Cengkareng, Dover Petamburan and Kalideres. Di Jakarta Timur, Kecamatan Ciracas, Cipayung, Kramatjati, dan Kampung Melayu. In East Jakarta, Subdistrict Ciracas, Cipayung, Kramatjati, and Kampung Melayu. In North Jakarta, Kelapa Gading Subdistrict and Pademangan should be skeptical.

"South Jakarta Regional prospective rainfall occurs more often instead of North Jakarta because of the influence of monsoon winds and near the mountainous area," said Hendro.

The risk of flooding, which is displayed BMG, said Hendro, was caused by the rain. The risk of flooding will be greater if the added factor of high tide sea level.

Head of Information BMG Ahmad Zakir said, in addition to flooding, wind stalk hatchet must also skeptical, especially in North Jakarta. Chance waterspout is very high and difficult to detect.

Alerts will cause wind waterspout can be known from the rain that fell in the morning and afternoon with a short but high rainfall and accompanied by gale.

After viewing BMG, Prijanto ask all Camat and cautious of the threat is the disasters that will occur in their environment. Floods in Jakarta can not be avoided at this time given the many infrastructure facilities and flooding that have not yet awakened.

Technically, the word Prijanto, Jakarta provincial government is taking steps to build anticipation of flooding and folders drainasse repair and dredging rivers. However, the steps that have not been sufficient to overcome the flooding in Jakarta.

Beware of West African Drugs

2008-11-07T17:07:00.000-08:00

JAKARTA, SATURDAY - National Police Headquarter to remind residents of the more powerful drugs and liciknya circulation by the network in West Africa, Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. In Operation Paniki with specific targets for foreign people last October, there are 19 foreign citizens were involved and three people shot dead in them.

Director IV / Crime Drug Agency detective Criminal National Police Headquarter brigadier general (Pol) Harry Montolalu revealed to the press at the Office of National Narcotics Agency (BNN) in Jakarta, Friday (7 / 11). Harry accompanied the Head of the Office for the General Commissioner of the National Police Headquarter, Bambang Kuncoko.

Operations carried out five teams, namely, the BNN and the National Police Headquarter and the four regional teams, namely, the Provincial Narcotics Agency of Jakarta, West Java, Bali and North Sumatra. Of the 498 foreign terjaring, there are 19 people involved in drug cases and three of them shot dead as against escape or be arrested.

Three people shot dead Oliver is Uchechukwu alias Osondo Today Taouray (Nigeria) with evidence of 100 grams heroin, Victor Thembo Macoba (South Africa), which would distribute 59.6 grams of heroin, and Steve alias Richard (Nigeria) are 40 grams of heroin . Total heroin evidence taken from three people is 199.6 grams.

Some 16 other people now being processed so that the law of a total of 19 foreign citizens involved in drug cases, officials successfully seize 370.1 grams of heroin, 28.3 grams of hashish, 13.7 grams of dried marijuana, three trunk marijuana, 25,500 eggs ekstasi, and 200.5 grams sabu. When sold, the value of drugs that reach more than Rp 2,223 billion.

"Currency of the population can be saved, namely, the special enthusiast from beginners evidence that be, is 308,161 people," said Harry.

According to Harry, in a meeting of Interpol related drug network in Bangkok last month, there is one important notes that must be known to the public in Southeast Asia, especially the people of Indonesia. Note that is different from the case revealed, the network Adventures drugs in this area generally dipelopori citizens of West African origin.

Moreover, foreign prisoners because of a drug case in the penitentiary (LP) can still control the circulation of drugs back rail. Cases such as this, among others, found through terpidana Mirke (Nigeria).

They control the children fruit from the LP via cellular phone. Should, napi or suspect cases of drugs can not use the phone.

Bambang added that the mode of foreign, mainly from Africa, quite unique. For best drug circulation, which was first performed by local women marry and have descendants as a bond of blood relationship. Just after the wife made as a courier.

Thus, the vast Indonesian citizens involved in drug circulation network. "Even some of the residents caught in another country because this case drugs," said Bambang.

Drug operation carried out in the previous three months (July, August, September), terjaring 6,383 suspects, including middle school students. There are 54 people uninspiring. "We hope that there is no napi punished lightly, or get remisi," said Harry

Be evidence that during the three months it reached Rp 195,641 billion."Currency of the population can be saved as a junkie beginners from the evidence is more than 69 million people," said Harry.

In addition, the Thousand Islands BNK Friday arrest yesterday of 13, including two high school students because the party marijuana in the Coconut Island pier.

Road Damage From their living

2008-11-07T17:02:00.000-08:00

JAKARTA, SATURDAY - Roads damaged in Jakarta began to grasp life, as happened in the Kelvin Winata. This motorcycle rider died when a bus dilindas avoid roads damaged in Mayjend Sutoyo Road in front of the building Kencana Cawang, East Jakarta, Friday (7 / 11) at 07.30.

Polda Metro Jaya record, and during the month of October, three lives every day due to traffic accidents. Police Traffic Accident Jaktim purpose Inspector Two Suwarno explained yesterday, when the victim was driving Yamaha M-6506-HX. Kelvin drive the bicycle motornya from Cililitan the Indonesian Christian University (UKI).

In front of the building branch Kencana, Kelvin setangnya sudden swerve to avoid a series of mountain roads. However, because of a sudden, Kelvin can not control the bike motornya.

Kelvin fall slip below the front right wheel of the bus PPD B-BX-7154 and terlindas. Victims who live in Sida Mukti RT 02 RW 10 Suka Maju, Sukma Jaya, Depok, died at the scene.

Kelvin bones and taken to Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Central Jakarta. Meanwhile, motorcycle and a bus that brought melindasnya to Satwil Traffic Jaktim.

Obama up in the moment Flickr

2008-11-07T16:58:00.000-08:00

While struggling to gate the highest power in Washington, Barack Obama is known as the political elite, which carry a change. When word of this change starts with Obama immortalize moments hold the results of the calculation of the sound on the night pascapemilu in the U.S. leading online photo site Flickr. Flickr, which can be used and viewed by anyone, anywhere and at any time not more than a digital photo album, which is usually used by families and friends who want to share the results of shooting photos.

Not like other presidents who enshrine hold the moment with a photo journalism class essai high as Life or Time magazine, Obama only rely moment it recorded in the vote. Archive, which is recorded in the vote showed Obama closeness relationship with the family, the friends, ajudan, including the vice president selected Joe Biden in a hotel room in Chicago.

Results catapult camera shows Obama moment, surrounded by his family with a forward calculation of the aid scrolling and voice on television. In one moment that recorded, see sitting relaxed Obama while John McCain rivalnya provide information on the television line of the calculation of the sound.

Results shooting photos taken with digital cameras this diabadikan on Flickr several hours after Obama declared victory. Photographs contain a picture Obama also contains a number of comments on the flood kemenangannya elation as the first black president of the U.S..

Wikipedia: Collective Wisdom from the Crowds

2008-11-07T16:55:00.000-08:00

YOU know the site Wikipedia, is not it? For you who do not know, this site is a giant online encyclopedia. Various information we can get on this site quickly, without having to bother turn-back books are thick and heavy-weight Encyclopædia Britannica as the volume reaches 32!

Many people who are to benefit from the presence of this Wikipedia. No wonder if the site was created by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger in 2001 is growing rapidly. Wikipedia is able to attract 684 million visitors each year. Then, there are more than 75 thousand active contributor to more than 10 million articles in more than 250 languages. When writing this I make it, there are more than 2.5 million articles in English. Every day there are hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world who marry tens of thousands of articles and create thousands of new articles to enrich the knowledge that this is in Wikipedia.

Yes, this is the excess Wikipedia encyclopedia than the form book. Wikipedia easier for people to access and contribute information at once. In addition, because online, quickly and easily every article that can be updated with the latest information.

Wikipedia's story is an example of what real-called "Collective Wisdom from the crowds." Try it, anyone can contribute new articles. Similarly, every article in Wikipedia can be edited easily. Means that each person also have the opportunity to provide information that is incorrect.

However, the fact Wikipedia's credibility remains intact. Wikipedia is still a reference number one in the Zagat virtual until now. Why? This is because each of the number of visitors Wikipedia millions and tens of thousands of active contributors was by itself will find out if there is information that is incorrect. They can fix quickly.

In the book The Wisdom of Crowds, James Surowiecki says that many people alias crowd will be able to produce decisions that are often better than decisions made by each individual. Surowiecki is a staff writer at the weekly magazine The New Yorker open book with a story that is quite interesting about Francis Galton, a scientist from Britain.

Galton is a when walking in a public market. There is a competition to guess the weight and body bison animal followed about 800 people. When the result was announced, there are interesting findings. In fact, on average, the results of conjecture all 800 people only different from the one pound weight of the bison. Guess the average is more appropriate than the estimation of some experts that cattle there.

Now, this introductory description of the next Surowiecki argues that the crowd can make a decision and predicted that better than people per person, or even compared to a group of experts even. However, not all the crowd could give a positive or take a wise decision. For example, only when the riot occurred in the international music or investor panic during the crisis in the capital markets.

Why can this happen? According to Surowiecki, there are a number of key criteria that a crowd could act with wisdom. The first is the diversity of opinions. Everyone should have the information that is unique to ensure the variation of thought. Second is the freedom of speech. Thus, the opinion of someone not determined by the opinion of the people around them.

Then the third criteria is decentralization. Each person is able to inject opinion based on his local knowledge. And the last criteria is the method to collect the opinions of each person and processed into a collective decision.

In the case of investor panic in the capital markets, can be seen that there is no diversity and freedom of speech. Investors consider the opinions of people too and not able to act independently. Then they began to imitate the actions of other people think and act differently. Conversely, we can see that the four criteria was able to be fulfilled by Wikipedia.

Wisdom of the crowds this will increasingly affect every aspect of marketing. Opinion of a group of elite people will be losing a lot of opinions from people like this. This is the process horisontalisasi occurred in the era of New Wave Marketing. So, never once was ignoring what it is said by many people!

More Revision IMF Global Economy

2008-11-07T16:52:00.000-08:00

Washington, International Monetary Fund cut back estimates of global growth. Institutions also warned that the economic growth of the industrial countries will be minus forward in 2009. Contraction is the first time since World War II.

The IMF estimates, industrialized countries will be weakened to a negative 0.3 percent compared with its previous estimate at 0.5 percent. Global growth also was revised to only 0.8 percent estimate from the newly announced last month, 2.2 percent.

"The prospect for global growth to weaken in the last one month because of the financial sector continued to decline and falling consumer confidence," said a statement the IMF in Washington, Thursday (6 / 11) local time Friday or WIB.

"Our estimate is based on the current situation and the policies that have been taken so far. We estimate that there will be many policies are made. The IMF will also participate in the meeting of the G-20 this month, "said the head of the IMF economist Olivier Blanchard.

Coordination

French President Nicolas Sarkozy also stressed that Europe must have a coordinated economic measures, although recognized that there are some things still controversial.

"I emphasize, in the face of this crisis, policy coordination is an obligation. There are no other options to understand and listen and work together to maintain our economic growth, "said Sarkozy spoke before a meeting of high-level European Union in Brussels, Belgium, Friday.

Meanwhile, South Korea yesterday again cut the interest rate, the third time in the last one month, to lift the economy. England also cut the previous interest rate.

However, the central bank cut interest rates can not stop the decline in the stock market. Investor shares in mainland Europe because of fear panic on the performance of the economy to worsen.

Some stock prices rise in Europe in mid-trade yesterday. FTSEurofirst 300 Index rose 1.1 percent after a 5.8 percent fall on Thursday. FTSE 100 up 1.8 percent, the German DAX rose 1 percent, and the French CAC 40 rose 0.9 percent.

"I do not believe this increase will be sustainable," said Ryan Kneale, analyst at BetsforTraders.com.

In Asia, shares in Tokyo closed down 3.55 percent, Sydney weakened 2.4 percent, Hong Kong rise 3.3 percent, and Seoul rose 4 percent. (AP / AFP / joe)

Action Protesting China Still Continue

2008-11-07T16:43:00.000-08:00

TAIPEI, Chen Yunlin, the most senior Chinese official ever to visit Taiwan in 49 years, leaving Taiwan on Friday (7 / 11). However, the protest action groups prokemerdekaan Taiwan continued during the five-day visit Chen.

Chen historic visit to Taiwan produce a number of economic agreements. Both parties also agreed a meeting to further reach other agreements.

However, Chen still visits greeted the action of protest groups prokemerdekaan Taiwan. China still claims Taiwan as a region since the two parties separated 1949.

Relations of China and Taiwan continue to improve last year because of the policies Taipei a more friendly with the Chinese mainland this year. Visiting senior Chinese officials this may not happen a year ago when the relationship the two parties reached the lowest level.

However, demonstrations action-demonstration group prokemerdekaan continue Chen presence throughout. Peak protest action is redirecting hard collision police and demonstrators on Friday early morning. More than 110 people injury.

Around 2,200 police antihuru-burly that supported the water cannon were to the Grand Hotel Taipei, where Chen stay. Action to control some 1,000 demonstrators.

When leaving the airport, Chen said his visit as a big success for the relations across the Taiwan Strait.

"We completed the mission of the older people want from the cross-strait," said Chen, who did not mention political issues are at Taiwan. (AP / AFP / IN)

The Automotive Industry conference

2008-11-07T16:39:00.000-08:00

London, FRIDAY - the automotive industry such as the global crisis caused at least more consumers who buy new vehicles. Result, several companies have announced profits and reduction of employees. Automotive sector is often used as a reference for the economy, more and more cars means that the consumer economy is built and vice versa.

Producer cars from Japan, Toyota, cut the estimated annual profit of 12.6 billion U.S. dollars to be only 5.5 billion U.S. dollars. Is the main cause of global crisis and the strengthening yen exchange rate.

"This financial crisis hit the real economy and automotive markets. Especially in developing countries that economic growth terkontraksi, "said Executive Vice President Mitsuo Kinoshita in Tokyo, Friday (7 / 11).

Toyota Motor Corp. reported a net profit in the July-September decreased 69 percent to 1.4 billion U.S. dollars. The contraction occurred in the U.S. market, the crisis in the credit markets, and increase exchange rate of yen to press income from abroad is a serious challenge for producers of vehicles from Japan is the largest.

In Britain, the automotive manufacturing industry report states that 23 percent decline in car sales in October 2008 compared with October last year. Throughout October only sold 128,352 units, down from 166,797 units in October 2007. Decrease the lowest since the recession of 1990.

U.S. car producers, Ford, yesterday announced the loss of 129 million U.S. dollars in the third quarter and 10 percent will reduce staff. The figure is better compared with losses of 380 million U.S. dollars in the third quarter last year. Sales of Ford in U.S. market share also dropped 30 percent in September and October this.

Similar incidents also occurred in Europe. German car manufacturer, Daimler, the decline of Mercedes luxury car sales in October of 21 percent to 82,500 units compared with the figure last year.

While sales of car Smart city car that is usually not too many have been sold since last year it increased 6.5 percent to 11,300 units. Since January, Smart sales rose 41 percent, while Mercedes sales down 1.7 percent. The small car fuel sparingly more of a choice than the luxury car.

Competitors Mercedes, BMW, also said sales declined more than 8 percent in October. Sales in the markets in developing countries mengompensasikan decrease in sales in western European countries. Throughout October, BMW sold 113,000 units, down 8.3 percent compared with sales in October 2007. (AP / AFP / Reuters / joe)

"Four Eyes" Stop, Tukul Rp 2.4 Billion Loss

2008-11-06T16:48:00.000-08:00

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO KOMPAS / PRIYOMBODO

Tukul Arwana Hammer Arwana

Stoped associated with the delivery of the program in the Four Eyes Trans7, Entertainer Tukul Arwana not know the fate of events that dipandunya that, whether or later will be really stopped forever.

"Until this day I can not hear anything. Perhaps more fitting check directly Trans7 same, "said Tukul. Ia mengaku sedang santai-santai di rumahnya. He admitted to being relaxed, relaxed in his home. With dihentikannya while Four Eyes, the original owner's name Tukul Riyanto is not disavow honornya Rp 20 million per episode, which should meet the candidate kantongnya, automatically stopped alias follow-up evaporate.

"In the covenant is no clause saying that when things happen like this (discontinued) due third parties and included in the force majeur, the remuneration is not paid. So it is not paid, "said Tukul.

Until now this has been driving Tukul Four Eyes for 2.5 years and has been appearing in more than 600 episode. Contract work is updated every year and, now entering the third year.
However, this smacking haired men do not feel disappointed if honornya reached Rp 400 million for a month to the next (5 x 4 weeks episode x Rp 20 million) eventually drift with four Mata stoped program.

For years this road would have six months. Tukul mengalami potential lost pemasukan sebesar Rp 2,4 miliar! If the truce until just a month to six months before (the event stopped at all-red) in the rough calculation, Tukul have lost potential income of Rp 2.4 billion! "I am not at issue. That means I'm not a fortune. And I believe that God does not sleep and will always provide sustenance through the streets to watch the other. So just relax Mas, "he said.

Meanwhile, this news has not revealed any definite information from the parties Trans7 whether future events would be stopped or at all.

As supposedly, the event would be asked to stopped for a month by the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI), Tuesday (4 / 11). Events that appear every Monday-Friday at 21:30 it stopped running since Tuesday (4 / 11) night.

This event is considered to have violated Code of Conduct for Broadcast, and the Broadcasting Standards Program, namely in the episode of the show Sumanto, the corpse eater, which also show the scenes that is vulgar guests who eat frogs alive (not that Sumanto eat frogs, Warta Kota 4 / 11 -Red).

KPI Chairman of the Center Prof. Sasa Djuarsa Djuarsa said, "This decision was taken after, the program has received letter of reprimand from the KPI Center three times, namely on 5 May, 27 September, and 25 August 2008. So with this we ask Trans7 to stop these impressions.

Surpassing the limit U.S. democracy

2008-11-06T16:36:00.000-08:00

GETTY IMAGES I Getty

Warga kulit hitam Amerika bersorak emosional begitu mengetahui kemenangan Barack Obama dalam pemilu AS, Rabu (5/11). Residents of black America cheer so emotional to know Barack Obama victory in the U.S. election, on Wednesday (5 / 11). Obama akan menjadi Presiden pertama Amerika dari kulit hitam. Obama will become the first President of the United States from black leather.

U.S. ready to prove themselves have stepped penetrate the limit. Millions of voters, black and white, old, young, male female, Hispanic and African descendants, are willing memercayakan their future into the hands of Barack Obama, an Illinois senator descendants of the original black leather.

During the two years served as a senator, Obama can see what can be seen by few people. United States ready to accept the changes.

He came to Capitol Hill two years ago with the "mission" to clean what seen as a political stunt modern America. The fierce partisan attitudes and disunity that has been studied for at least two bercokol period presidency.

While the opportunity staggering in the journey toward White House, with the mantras "change", Obama has made this fight becomes all the elements of the nation merger.

"He has to find the way back from politics for this. This is a revolution, such as the election of Franklin D Roosevelt years 1932 and John F. Kennedy 1960," said Paul Levinson, political experts from Fordham University, New York, as cited by news agency AFP.

Obama is not big victory as the victory of President George W Bush in 2000 and 2004, according to observers, wicker divisions and make people fighting one another.

"We have successfully overcome all the things that count more people are obstructions that can not be destroyed in our politics. We succeeded in creating a national coalition. That's what we want and that we do, "said David Axelrod, Obama strategists.

Call
The enthusiasm of voters to vote shall invite click amazed apart. Mentioned, the number of voters this time is the most historic election in the U.S., namely around 135 million people.

My eyes water up specifically to see the queue," said Bob Haskins, a worker at a church in Atlanta, as cited by the International Herald Tribune (IHT).

"For children that young, this is the call. All that said Martin Luther King become a reality today, "he said, when young people enthusiastic sent to vote.

Tobey Benas, a retired teacher in Chicago, also impressed with the moment of the election this year. "I do not believe we can until this far. This is very touching, "he said, as quoted IHT.

Issues of race in the U.S. have not become part of the chestnut. Racial sentiment still haunt, although the U.S. claim as a democratic country that exceeds all the difference.

The winner in a speech in Chicago, Obama stressed that the boundaries separating the obvious can not dilompati. "If there is someone out there who still doubt that the United States is a place where things may happen, that dream still wonder if the founders of our country are still living, still questioned the strength of democracy, the night is the answer," said Obama.

That is evidenced by the sound of the white voters that Obama was obtained, namely 43 percent. While the lost earnings from the panda (55 percent), Obama surpass earnings from the Democratic presidential candidate in 2004, John Kerry, who is also white.

Some years this U.S. citizens abroad to become familiar targets of invective and cemoohan blessing "war against terrorism" that President Bush diusung. Sentimen anti-AS kian merajalela di berbagai belahan dunia. Anti-US sentiment remains rampant in various parts of the world.

Not long after Obama won the election, William J kole, an Associated Press journalist in Austria, get a kiss on the cheek from foreign people in the bus, only because he was American. "He did not say anything, but the message is very clear. Today we all the American people It feels like a long journey on the road wave that eventually stopped, "he said.

"Obama showed its extraordinary capacity for the United States to update and adapt to a world that is changing," said former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Starting Business Law

2008-11-06T16:13:00.000-08:00

When I return home, on the day of Idul Fitri my friend for me, that he will aspire to become entrepreneurs (Entrepreneurs). A year later I met my friend again, and then I asked "What is so businessmen." He said "not yet, I have my capital (capital)." Nevertheless, he still aspire to be entrepreneurs. On the day of Eid ul-Fitr next I met my friend again, and the iapun not become entrepreneurs. I remember the story hehe. He said in front of the King Aaron Ar-Rashid that he will be flying. Hehe hear the word of the King Aaron Ar-Rasid said in his heart "So this is my opportunity to defeat hehe." Then Aaron King Ar-Rashid said, "O hehe. What was katamu? ". "Sorry, the King, when the stage gave me a high, the servants will be flying from the stage" said hehe. "Let hehe, I will make a higher stage, but after the Friday prayer front of you should have been preparing to fly" said the King should be Ar-Rashid. "The servant ready to" answer hehe. A week later, after the Friday prayer, people have gathered in the plaza to witness hehe will be flying. Hehe wait to be king of the Ar-Rashid under the stage around the tower 12 meters high. Shortly Aaron King and the Ar-Rashid arrived in the plaza that dielu welcome by the people, then approached hehe. "You are ready Abu?" Ask Aaron King. "It is the" responsibility hehe. Hehe then climb the stage to the high above. Then he was greeted with a standing-please please panic, "How hehe flying from the stage without bringing any equipment. If the fall hehe surely die "gumam in their hearts. Hehe lift one foot and swing-ayunkan both hands like a bird will fly. Then replace the one who appointed one foot and tilt-sliding his hands again. The act was hehe repeated so that people feel bored hehe see the whimsy, and they cry "He said you will be flying. Kok only once. " Hehe replied "I only said I will be flying. During this I see. I will be flying now. " Aaron see him smiling behavior and answers hehe, and the feel lost. Hehe be given prizes. That is, if you will only become a businessman, then forever will be the only businessman and never become a businessman. This is because there are legal start a business.

Start a legal business such as law styles of a String object. It is my style, since my high school class one. My teacher said that the objects that have a quiet style String relatively higher compared with a moving object. Style It occurred when the objects will move. Similarly start in the business (business). When will start a business, big obstacle. After running the business, the obstacle is relatively small. Bottlenecks occurred during the first day of opening a business. My neighbor says to me "Pak Yanto when I open the shop on the first day, a horror house gusty once. But after running my shop, I do not seribut on the first day I open the shop. " That is the law to start a business.

Anomali, From Indonesia With Coffee

2008-11-06T16:06:00.000-08:00

Angelina/Kompas.com Angelina / Kompas.com

Specialty, organically grown, arabica Wamena coffee. Specialty, organically grown, Arabica coffee Wamena. Kopi asli Indonesia ini mempunyai kualitas setara dengan Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Coffee native Indonesia has a quality equivalent to the Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee

Almah, in the 11 century, a goat herd in the morning to find an Ethiopian goat-kambingnya moving more sprightly and energetic usually from a tree near the red fruits. Their behavior is not always rise to a sense of curious on the herd. Interested, he eat the fruits of the small now known by the name of coffee. Immediately body just felt more fresh.

Not long, a Sufi origin of Yemen, Shaikh ash-Shadhili are around Ethiopia, through accidental. See the effects arising from the fruits of it, he and explore, from the boil until memanggangnya. The result, ancha drink coffee a drug to improve the drowsiness before the prayer and a favorite beverage in the mosque to mosque, eventually spread to all over the world.

Indonesia is known as one of the best coffee producing countries in the world, both types of Arabica and Robusta. Unfortunately, the quality of the original premium coffee Indonesia can be enjoyed even less because most imported directly to several countries.Indonesian society, can only enjoy coffee with the quality of the second or third.

Not many know that Indonesia has the equivalent of Arabica coffee with the Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, one of the best coffee and termahal in the world. In the far eastern tip of Indonesia, Wamena, Papua, at a height of 1,600 meters above the sea, there are gardens, coffee-owned native Papuans.

"Pieces of coffee in Wamena with the same quality coffee beans from Jamaica. In the colonial era, there was the Dutch who brought coffee beans from the Blue Mountain and planted in Papua. With the contours of land and the weather is similar, coffee and this can have a quality similar to the original , "Said Muhammad Abgari, owner of Coffee Anomalies some time ago in Jakarta.

Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Arabica coffee is planted in the area of Blue Mountain in Jamaica. Conditions are cool mountains, thick and fertile land which at the height of 1,700 meters above sea makes Blue Mountain as the ideal place to produce premium quality coffee.

Among other Arabica coffee, coffee contains caffeine, at least, soft, not too bitter, sour taste that the content fits. Well balanced. Well Balanced.

Thus, the Indonesian DANG should inherit the seeds, because seeds of the best quality coffee in the world. This Help of two young lovers make coffee, Ray and Kevin Muhammad Abgari bertekat preserve coffee and mempopulerkannya to various parts of bumi. Dream great start to realize that by opening the tiny coffee shop in the area Senopati, Jakarta, with the name of Anomalies Coffee, coffee, which is not normal . Want to know?

Obama Announced White House Chief of Staff

2008-11-06T15:56:00.000-08:00

AFP/File/Paul J. AFP / File / Paul J. Richards Richards

Rahm Emanuel Rahm Emanuel

CHICAGO - Barack Obama announced Thursday that fellow citizens of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel candidate to become head of staff at the White House, typical burners." He said, "There is no other better that I know for this job."

This is the first decision Obama made after the presidential election. Although not want to announce this decision, was also out of this spiel.

"I will do everything to provide all the United States needed to change." Emanuel says that once the servants of political policy in the field of White House during the Clinton administration before entering Congress.

Department head office staff is important. Who will be appointed to act as one of the closest advisers to the president, and specifically to decide who will get access to the president, is also building a government policy.

Emanuel, like Obama, who is close to Chicago that Obama and many of the assessments. In his role as leader of the political commission to assist the Democrats gain seats in Congress, Emanuel is considered as important players develop in the U.S. House of Representatives, 2006. He served on the commission is very influential, which determine tax policy.

Since then, Emanuel has served as the Democrats held the most high fourth kaukus as party leader. Emanuel is an important adviser and former president Bill Clinton and most recently as a negotiator legislation funds talangan Wall Stret 700 billion dollars.

Buildings incorporate Save Energy and Environment-Friendly

2008-11-06T15:43:00.000-08:00

TPGIMAGES TPGIMAGES

ISSUES global warming is still menghangat in all areas of life. Efforts continue to hamper Buana warming, climate change is extreme, and degradation of environmental quality.

Currently, after improvement up the environment, the global economic crisis back swing-joints and joint life of our city, including the property sector. The crisis came beruntun and repeatedly should be able to move our awareness.

The shape of the architecture of buildings (housing, buildings) should go, response, and provide solutions. One is to explore the building (houses, buildings) are energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

Bath like body, we need to do to reduce the rate of dietary cholesterol in the building and make the building more slender and fresh that can make healthy self (a bag of savings, the building of) and environment (residents, the city) and avoid social stroke complications. For that, we need to recognize the basic issues and efforts that can be done.

Development of building energy-efficient and environment-friendly should be cheap, easy, and broad impact. The development of the city green (green city), the property green (green property), building green (green building), office / school green (green school / office), to use green products (green products) continues to contribute to reducing the global warming crisis and global economy.

Law No. 28 Year 2002 on Building encourage development using local building feels more environmentally friendly and harmonious with the environment of origin. Design building (green building) energy efficient, limiting the land established, simple layout, room flow, quality of building quality, materials efficiency, materials and environmentally friendly (green products).

Building green requires the layout design of buildings (10 percent), consumption and management of water (10 percent), fulfilling the electric energy (30 percent), building materials (15 percent), air quality in (20 percent), and breakthrough innovation (technology, operations) by 15 percent.

How big building (houses, buildings), which will be built? Enough is enough. Volume is maintained so that the cost of building the development, operation, maintenance and restrained and more cost-efficient.

The building is designed with the mass space, space openness, and the outer-space relationships in the liquid, wide terrace, bersilangan ventilation, and the void that is comparable klimatik tropical circulation pengudaraan to work and natural lighting evenly across the room to energy-efficient.

Utilization of alternative energy

To save electricity usage, we can use energy-efficient lighting, air conditioning to maintain the temperature at 25 º C, open windows when the curtains to allow light, and turn off electronic equipment when not needed (not a stand-by position).

Invited to make use of alternative energy in meeting the electricity needs of a cheap and practical, and support the development of technology, solar energy, wind, biomass or for building houses / buildings.

The use of local materials would be more cost (cost of production, transportation). Creativity is needed to design the building of local produce to become more interesting, unique local specialties, and easily replaced and obtained from the place around. Blend material time or stone bricks for the foundation and walls, walls of wood or modern gedeg (bamboo), the roof, floor and teraso not good with building a wall of concrete and glass, steel frame and roof, floor and ceramics, marble, or granite. Motif dan ornamen lokal pada dekoratif bangunan juga memberikan nilai tambah tersendiri. Motifs and decorative ornaments on the local building also provides value-added material.

Utilization of materials used or the rest of the renovations to the building materials can also produce a beautiful building and functional. Kusen, doors or windows, glass, teraso, to the stairs and iron fences can still be used, given the new touch, and that can be reused to provide a new atmosphere in the building. Cheaper and remains strong.

The scale of the building and the proportion of open space should be observing the basic building coefficient (KDB) and the coefficient basic green (KDH), which ranges from 40-70 percent 30-60 proportionate space awakened percent for green space to breathe and absorb water. Whole or part of the roof the building restored as green space instead of the land mass that is used in the building underneath. Roof-roof buildings to be developed into park roof (roof garden) and wall crawl plant Creep (green wall) so that the air temperature outside and in the fall, reduced pollution, and increasing green space.

Glogal Warming

The existence of parks and trees important in the warming of the earth. Ruang dalam bangunan diisi tanaman pot. Space in a building filled with pot plants. Green space to be processed vegetable garden and a pharmacy and live trees planted fruit sufficient for the needs of day-to-day. Of the can maintain and protect the tree and be adopted by foster parents trees of the road in front of the front of the building (houses, buildings) we.

deally, the rain water can be absorbed into the soil as much as 30 percent. With many concrete buildings, asphalt roads, and little green open space, the city (such as Jakarta), only 9 percent are able to absorb rain water. Then, when the rainy season flooding, summer droughts. Meanwhile, consumption of water from taps only 47 percent, while the water reaches 53 percent.

The building must begin to reduce water use (Reduce), re-use of water for different purposes at once (reuse), recycle waste water (recycle), and re-fill water (recharge) resapan wells with water (1 x 1 x 2 meters) and / or hole resapan biopori (10 centimeters x 1 meter).

All waste water is inserted into the wells with water, processing resapan conventional order not to be too dependent on the existing system environment. How frugal use of water is close the tap when not needed, do not let the tap water has, water sparingly when washing hands and washing cups / plates, to select dual-flush toilets, always spend your drinking water.

In the process culture of waste, provide the building where the processing of waste from independent sources. Asked to reduce the (Reduce) the use of the goods difficult to unravel. Dipilah inorganic waste and re-used or sold to scavengers. Processed organic waste into compost to fertilize crops. No wasted waste (zero waste).

According to the WHO (2006), 70 percent of the pollution in Jakarta comes from motor vehicles. 5 Planting trees can only absorb CO2 emissions issued by 1 car! And emissions per person each for presume kilometers with a private car is 15 times the bus. We need to reduce the use of private vehicles, equipment to switch to environment-friendly public transport, car pooling, call colleagues clockwise, eco-driving. Lucky if the buildings near schools, markets, or the office, we just ride a bicycle or walk.

We can apply environmental management systems from homes, schools, to the office practical and simple to assist and support the realization of building energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, the responses in implementing environmentally friendly practices, to help reduce the cost of household, reduce consumption of natural resources, promote sustainable practices through improvement of the kesadartahuan, promote ways of mitigating climate change by saving energy and the use of renewable energy.

Working Obama Jump

2008-11-06T15:32:00.000-08:00

AP Photo/Chicago Tribune, Zbigniew Bzdak / Kompas Images AP Photo / Chicago Tribune, Zbigniew Bzdak / Kompas Images

Barack Obama (tengah), yang terpilih sebagai presiden AS, dikawal dengan penjagaan ketat saat meninggalkan rumah di kawasan Hyde Park, Chicago, Amerika Serikat, Rabu (5/11) waktu setempat, pergi ke sebuah gimnastik lokal untuk berolah raga. Barack Obama (middle), selected as the U.S. president, said with a tight defense while leaving the house in the area of Hyde Park, Chicago, United States, Wednesday (5 / 11) local time, went to a local gym for exercise.

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CHICAGO, THURSDAY - that of Hussein Obama (47) directly after work one day chosen as president-44 to the U.S. while in office in the center of the city of Chicago, Illinois. He had dialogue with journalists from around the distance of 20 meters, on Wednesday (5 / 11).He admitted less sleep after delivering a speech victory in the historic Grant Park, witnessed about 250,000 people.

What news? Are you just sleep a night? "Ask Obama. When a journalist yelled loud, "How do you?" Obama replied with a smile, "I feel less sleep."

Before working with agents, Joe Biden, he was playing basketball, sports that are still persevering with dijalaninya until now, in a gym. After breakfast he invites the two daughter, Malia and Sasha.

Obama family lived in the area of Hyde Park, not far from the office to work until inauguration day on January 20 2009. As the elected president, Obama and his family now get the very strict control.

Priority" Obama as the first head of the family of the White House is searching for a new pet dog that possibility diversified Golden Retriever according to a second daughter "campaign promise of" father.

Obama prime decision taken yesterday was a request from Democratic members of the House, Rahm Emanuel, to become White House Chief of Staff. Emanuel had worked for former President Bill Clinton. He was also close friends with Obama as the same come-from Chicago.

In addition, Obama has formed a team called Project Transitions Obama-Biden following his Advisory Council, which each consist of at least four people. They set up a procession of 20-day inauguration in January 2009 the theme "A New Birth of Freedom."

This Thursday (Friday WIB) Obama is scheduled to listen to the first intelligence briefing from officials range of secret agencies, such as the National Security Agency (NSA) and Central Intelligence Agency U.S. (CIA), on current developments on Iraq, Iran and Al Qaeda. This is estimated Directions prime lasted more than an hour and then made every day for 45 minutes.

Two important post
Most fast this weekend Obama will be appointed finance minister and minister of defense. Two post is closely related to the priority Obama to immediately formulate the steps that must be adopted to overcome the financial crisis and the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan.

According to speculation the two candidates finance minister who is chosen favorite Governor of the Central Bank of New York Timothy Geithner and former Finance Minister Lawrence Summers, who once worked for Clinton and one of the leaders who helped Obama campaign.

Ozone hole opened This Year

2008-11-06T15:28:00.000-08:00

NASA NASA

Lubang ozon fluktiatif dari tahun ke tahun namun cenderung meluas. Fluktiatif ozone hole from year to year but tend to be widespread.

New York - This year, the ozone hole above Antarctica, South Pole achieve up to a maximum area of 26.88 square kilometers. This hole was recorded as the fifth largest ever recorded throughout history.

Area ozone hole is the result of the measurement of outer space agency U.S. (NASA), which has done so since the last 30 years. Specialists atmosphere from outer space agency U.S. (NASA), Paul Newman that was the hole that are classified as large.

Ozone hole formed due to the ozone layer. This is dangerous because the ozone layer to absorb work ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. Widespread ozone hole was considered one of the trigger global warming.

Usually ozone hole formed bualn each August and have a wide maximum from September to October, before closing again. Last year the maximum ozone hole area of only 24.83 square kilometers.